Jonathan James “A.J.” Schroeder was a devoted family man and a respected detective with the Cleveland Division of Police. A native of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Penn Hills High School in 1987 and attended Kent State University. Before joining the police force in 1996, he worked for his family's landscaping business. As an officer, the 37-year-old White male was known for his dedication and bravery, serving for ten years, most recently in the First District Vice Unit. He was the beloved husband of Amy Schroeder and the loving father of their 10-month-old son, Eric. His family, including his parents and four siblings, remember him as a wonderful person who brought smiles to those who knew him.
In the final hours of Wednesday, August 30, 2006, Detective Schroeder volunteered to be part of a team of twelve officers serving a high-risk warrant.
The joint team included members of the First District Vice Unit, the Sex Crimes Unit, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. They converged on a house on Cleveland's west side, near West 98th Street and Madison Avenue, to arrest a suspect named Wilson Santiago. Santiago, 37, was wanted in connection with a brutal aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and rape that had occurred several days earlier.
As officers surrounded the home, Detective Schroeder and his supervisor approached the front door. After they knocked and announced their presence, Santiago briefly opened the wooden, windowless door before slamming it shut. As Schroeder prepared to use a battering ram to gain entry, Santiago fired a .357 caliber handgun through the door. One of the bullets struck Detective Schroeder. Though he was wearing a ballistic vest, the round entered his body under his arm, piercing his heart in an area the vest did not protect.
Detective Schroeder was rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center, but his injury was catastrophic. He was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on August 31, 2006. Back at the scene, the suspect, Wilson Santiago, surrendered to police after they returned fire. He was taken into custody without injury and was subsequently charged with aggravated murder for the death of Detective Schroeder and attempted murder for firing at the other officers.
The investigation was handled by the Cleveland Division of Police. The evidence was clear, and the case against Wilson Santiago moved forward through the justice system. He was later convicted on all charges for killing the detective. A judge sentenced Santiago to life in prison, ensuring he would be held accountable for his actions.
The loss of Detective Schroeder devastated his family, his colleagues, and the wider Cleveland community. His funeral Mass was held at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland, followed by his burial in his hometown of Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Memorial funds were established to support his young son's future education. In the years since his death, his memory is kept alive by his family and his brothers and sisters in blue, who remember his ultimate sacrifice. His name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., a permanent tribute to a hero who gave his life protecting his community.
