Greendale Police Unveil Otto Glissman Memorial Stone

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3:51 PM

Judge James Humphrey was the speaker at Tuesday's ceremony.

Photo by Travis Thayer, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Greendale, Ind.) - It was 81 years ago today when Greendale Police Officer Otto J. Glissman was killed in the line of duty.

Glissman was described as a good and honest man. He worked different jobs to provide for his family, who suffered their share of difficult times. The Glissman's lost their barn in a 1927 wind storm, a home to fire, another home to the 1937 Flood, and the death of 16-year-old daughter, Hazel.

Following the 1937 Flood, Glissman moved his family across town from Lawrenceburg to Greendale, finding a home on Billups. His life took a turn in February 1942 when he was hired as a night policeman for the Greendale Police Department. Many details of his life and service have been lost, and most have no memory of his time as a police officer.

On the night of December 19, 1942, Glissman was carrying out his duties as a police officer when he attempted to flag down a driver to warn him that his headlight was out on the vehicle. Officer Glissman was struck by the vehicle and was instantly killed.

The vehicle was driven by a 19-year-old vehicle that was found to be under the influence of liquor. The suspect was charged with Manslaughter but was found not guilty by a Dearborn County jury.

The Honorable Judge James Humphrey outlined Glissman's story on Tuesday afternoon at the Greendale Police Department, where a new memorial stone was unveiled.

So why was Officer Glissman honored and memorialized after so much of his history has been lost and so much time has passed? Judge Humphrey answered by saying,

"We gather today to honor Officer Glissman because whether it has been 80 or 180 years, what will never change, what will never be forgotten is that he gave his life for the people of this community. Today, as each officer raises their hand and takes the oath to serve the people of the City of Greendale, Indiana, Officer Glissman stands beside them. Each time we recognized and respect the difficult job of today's law enforcement officers, we honor the life and legacy of Officer Otto Glissman and all he gave us."

Members of the Glissman family were ushered by Greendale Police officers to see the new memorial stone in Glissman's name. They also placed flowers on a wreath that was laid on Glissman's Greendale Cemetery grave.

The Southeastern Indiana Honor Guard concluded the ceremony with a flag folding ceremony.

Greendale Police Chief Shane Slack contributed to the ceremony with the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner."