Police Officer Terry L. Root (1946-2015) Terry was born October 28, 1946 in Cincinnati to a telephone repairman, Edwin B. Root, and Ella Root. He attended Withrow High School and graduated in 1964. During March 1964, 17-year-old Terry enlisted in the United States Navy. After training in Norfolk he served as a Coxswain on an Amphibious Assault Craft in the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. He was honorably discharged as a Boatswain Mate 3rd Class during July 1967 and joined the United States Naval Reserve. After regular military service, he took a job with Cincinnati and Suburban Bell Telephone installing and repairing pay phones until September 1968. On September 15, 1968 Terry joined the Cincinnati Police Division as Recruit. On December 22, 1968 Patrolman Root was assigned to District 6 (on Erie Avenue). During March 1971 Patrolman Root had a break in service. Within a year he was reinstated and assigned to District 7 (on Beecher Street), which later merged into District 4 on Reading Road. He resigned again on March 25, 1979 with 9½ years of service and 13 letters of appreciation and/or commendation. He joined the Springfield Township Police Department and served as a Police Officer and Detective. After 20 more years, almost 30 years in law enforcement, and a total of 34 years of service to his country and communities, Detective Root retired. In retirement, he moved to Hamilton, Ohio and enjoyed hunting, golfing, and his grandchildren. He was diagnosed with Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and battled it valiantly, but lost his battle on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was 68½. Terry is survived by his wife Pati Root; children, Kimberly Root, Stephanie (Tim) Hill, Kim (Scott) Gildea, Kevin (Holly) Gerth, Joe (Marta) Gerth, and Katie (Ben) Lauer; 12 grandchildren; and sister, Peggy (Gary) Donaworth. Visitation will be held 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Webster Funeral Home at 3080 Homeward Way in Fairfield. An F.O.P. Service will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 with Pastor Keith Thomas and Pastor Jean McIntire, officiating. Burial will follow, with full military honors, at Arlington Memorial Gardens on Compton Road in Springfield Township. If desired memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. ©2015 – All rights reserved to LT Stephen R. Kramer and the Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society