A SMALL memorial of flowers, flags and other items have been placed where Cleveland Police officer Justin Maples died in a patrol car crash while on duty Sunday evening. Funeral plans have been set and a public show of respect to honor the officer is requested. Banner photo, GREG KAYLOR
Maples was the first city officer to die in the line of duty since 1955 when officer Bud Cash also was killed responding to an emergency call and crashed with a Bradley County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle. County deputy Ken Wright Sr. was shot and killed in the line of duty in 1971.
CPD officials met Tuesday with members of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department and other emergency service officials who are aiding in the preparation.
According to CPD information officer Evie West, the procession will begin at First Baptist Church located on Stuart Road and will turn right heading toward Keith Street. It will proceed south on Keith Street to 25th Street, then left on 25th St. to Ocoee St.
The procession will then proceed south on Ocoee Street.
After arriving at the Bradley County Courthouse, Maples’ casket will be transferred to the caisson and then the procession will proceed down South Ocoee Street to Hilcrest Memorial Gardens.
At the entrance of the gardens, family members and hundreds of law enforcement officers who are expected to attend, will follow on foot as the horse-drawn caisson takes Maples to his final resting place.
Cleveland Chief of Police Wes Snyder said Monday Maples was “a dedicated officer who was respectful on the street while he conducted business with the public and in the department.”
Snyder also described the husband and father of three as loyal.
Maples was responding to an area on Keith Street as a reported stolen vehicle had been spotted in the area of Keith and 25th Street. Maples lost control of his police car as he responded toward Keith and struck a utility pole. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
“Justin’s father said that Justin was doing what he wanted to do,” Snyder said. “His father and family understood his desire to be a police officer and supported his efforts throughout his career,” Snyder said earlier this week.
City manager Janice Casteel said Cleveland Municipal Court is canceled Thursday due to the funeral services and urges residents who may have business with the court Thursday to call 472-4551 to reschedule.
Also, all city offices will be closed from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. so employees may attend the funeral service and participate in the flag ceremony to honor Maple’s service.
A number of agencies such as Chattanooga, the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force and BCSO will be handling dispatches for Cleveland Police during the funeral.
