Chief Dennis M. Rees (1947-2018)

The Greater Cincinnati Police Museum

“Preserving the History of Law Enforcement in the Greater Cincinnati Area”

Chief Dennis M. Rees (1947-2018)

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at New Hope Baptist Church, 1401 Loveland Madeira Road in Loveland.  A funeral service will be held at Noon.

Memorials can be made to The Shield or Hospice of Cincinnati.

Denny was born February 9, 1947 in Cincinnati to Robert R. and Anna Mae “Nancy” Rees, Sr.  He attended Woodward High School, graduating during June 1965, and the University of Cincinnati from 1965 to 1967, majoring in Pre-Med Chemistry.  By 1969, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychiatry.

Denny was drafted into the United States Army on his 21st birthday, February 9, 1968 and trained in Infantry.   During 1968 he was trained in Radio Relay and Carrier Equipment and Tactical Circuit Control.  During 1969 he attended Officer Candidate School.  He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and served as a Company Executive Officer.  He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and served as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Operation Officer in the Vietnam War.  He was honorably discharged as a Captain and with several awards including a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, and Purple Heart (twice awarded), and Army Commendation Medal.

After military service, Denny worked as a salesman for Lincoln National Life Insurance for a few months.  He then worked as a salesman at Carpenter Technology Corporation on Redna Terrace for two months.

Denny joined the Cincinnati Police Division as a Police Recruit on October 29, 1972.  He was promoted to Patrolman on February 25, 1973, issued Badge 190, and assigned to District 4 (7017 Vine Street).  A year later, he rotated to District 5 (1012 Ludlow Avenue).  Five years later, he was transferred to Program Management Bureau (310 Lincoln Park Drive).  He transferred back to District 5 during October 1985 and 3 months later was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-84, and assigned to District 1.  Six months later, he transferred to District 4 (now at 4150 Reading Road).  At the end of 1987, he finished first on the Lieutenant’s promotional exam and was promoted January 10, 1988, issued Badge L-6, and assigned to the Police Academy.  Lieutenant Rees also served in District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue), Operations Administration, and District 2 (3295 Erie Avenue).  On April 26, 1994 he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Planning Section.  Captain Rees retired on July 1, 1995 with 33 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.

Captain Rees then took over as Chief of the Loveland Police Department.  Thirteen years later, Chief Rees was appointed Loveland Safety Director and served until the end of 2008.  Chief Rees finally retired after 40 years of service to his country and two communities.

“Retirement” being relative, Chief Rees continued to work on the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Police Federal Credit Union.  He was elected as Chairman of the Board during 2015 and continued as such until his death.

During August 2016, Chief Rees knew there was something seriously wrong in his core.  After several visits to doctors, he underwent surgery on August 29.  During surgery, surgeons found masses of Pancreatic Cancer in his abdomen and neck.  After 14½ hours, he finally left the operating room and was placed in Intensive Care with weeks of pain, healing, and chemotherapy ahead of him.  No one fought Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer harder, all the while continuing his duties as Chairman of the Board.  On November 30, 2017, all seemed lost.  He was placed into hospice care.  But, two months later, he had fought the cancer to another draw.  He was taken off hospice care and entered another course of chemotherapy.  He continued to fight until the Fall of 2018 when he once more entered into hospice care.  He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, October 26, 2018 at 71 years of age.

He is predeceased by his brother, Robert (Nancy) Rees, Jr.  Chief Rees is survived by his wife of 50 years, Margaret A. “Maggie” (Hall) Rees; sons, Dennis Scott (Holly) Rees and former Cincinnati Sergeant Jason Rees; grandchildren, Lauren Rees, Ashley Rees; siblings, Kathy (Paul) Gessendorf, Genny Hall, Terry (Cathy) Rees, Dorothy Sue Rees, and Patrick (Marian) Rees.

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at New Hope Baptist Church, 1401 Loveland Madeira Road in Loveland.  A funeral service will be held at Noon.

Memorials can be made to The Shield or Hospice of Cincinnati.

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