On March 6, 1979, Dennis E. Bennington, a 31-year-old Caucasian male police officer with the Cincinnati Police Department, was fatally shot during a traffic stop. Officer Bennington and his partner, Officer Robert Seiffert, were conducting a felony stop on Oak Street near Reading Road when they encountered Gregory Daniels, a suspect with an aggravated robbery warrant. As Officer Bennington approached the suspect from the side, Officer Seiffert approached from the rear.
Daniels, armed with a .38 caliber revolver, shot Officer Bennington in the chest and fired over his shoulder as he got back in his car, striking Officer Seiffert in the head as he dove for cover.
Despite suffering a severe chest wound that tore away the top of his heart, Officer Bennington managed to get back on his feet and return fire, striking Daniels in the head and killing him. Both officers were transported to a local hospital, where Officer Bennington succumbed to his injuries. Officer Seiffert also tragically passed away from his injuries. Officer Bennington had served with the Cincinnati Police Department for 9.5 years and was survived by his wife, two children, and parents.
The suspect, Gregory Daniels, was identified as a parolee with a history of violent street robberies. The incident led to a significant investigation, but no further arrests or litigations were reported in connection with the deaths of Officers Bennington and Seiffert. The Cincinnati Police Department honored Officer Bennington's bravery and dedication to duty, and his sacrifice is remembered by the community and his fellow officers.
Officer Bennington's death was part of a particularly dangerous year for Cincinnati police officers, with multiple fatalities occurring in 1979. The tragic loss of Officer Bennington and Officer Seiffert prompted changes in police procedures, including the implementation of a two-patrol policy to enhance officer safety.
