CLEVELAND — 3News has confirmed a Cleveland police officer died Monday morning while on duty in the department's Fifth District.
Detective Jeff Follmer, former president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, informed WKYC of the officer's death. The department has since identified the man as Patrol Officer Victor Claudio, who served with the force for more than two decades.
"Officer Claudio, an active member of the Cleveland Division of Police, served his community for the past 23 years in the Fifth District," the Cleveland Division of Police said in a statement. "Our hearts are broken, and our deepest condolences are with the Claudio family during this difficult time."
In addition, Mayor Justin Bibb offered "prayers" for both Claudio's loved ones and his fellow officers.
"The entire city thanks him for his service and dedication to protecting the residents of the City of Cleveland for the past 23 years," the mayor wrote.
The exact circumstances surrounding Claudio's passing are not known at this time, with the division only saying he died "suddenly" this morning. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner reports he passed at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center at the age of 53.
Follmer described him as "a great officer and well respected."
"He will be deeply missed," Follmer added. "Prayers go out to his family during this terrible time."
Cleveland City Council also offered its condolences, stating, "Council wants to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the Fifth District police officer who died while on duty this morning. We lost one of Cleveland's finest. We ask all Clevelanders to keep him and his family in your thoughts."
EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story identified Victor Claudio as a sergeant based on information given by Cleveland City Hall. The copy has since been updated to reflect Claudio's status as a patrol officer.