‘Heroic’ Cuyahoga County Cop Killed Working As Bar Security

METRO CLEVELAND, OH — The law enforcement community across northeast Ohio is remembering Timoteo “Tim” Cruz, a Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer who was shot and killed while working security at a bar in Parma over the weekend.

“Our hearts are broken, and we are at a loss for words,” said a Facebook post from Rookies Sports Bar & Grill, the Parma business where Cruz and Sean Acierno, a bar patron, were gunned down Saturday morning in the parking lot.

Two men shot Acierno, and Cruz fired back but then was wounded himself, Parma police said. The men fled but were later arrested, police said.

Cruz, 27, is remembered as a hero who “touched so many lives,” the bar said.

“Due to Cruz’s heroic actions, he most likely saved additional lives while giving up his own life as other bar patrons were still in the area or exiting the bar,” Parma Police Lt. Dan Ciryak said in a statement shared by local news outlets. Read the full story from Cleveland19.com

‘Never Give Up’: 4-Year-Old Cancer-Free For 1 Year

Four-year-old Azraella Parker has lived through more challenges than many adults. The Ada girl known to family and friends as “Azzy” endured chemotherapy and countless surgeries since she was diagnosed with leukemia at 15 months old until last year.

Now, the young girl is celebrating a full year of being cancer-free. Azzy’s mother, Keara Downing, told Patch her daughter has “rekindled her fire.”

“Even though you may feel alone, there’s a huge support system behind you praying, sending love and things you need,” Downing said. “Never give up hope.” Read more from Cleveland Patch

Metro Cleveland Headlines:

• DNA Will Be Tested In Cleveland Cold Case From 1969: The Porchlight Project, a nonprofit aimed at solving cold cases in Ohio, has agreed to fund DNA testing that could help identify a “John Doe” from more than a half-century ago, via Clevescene.com.
• Car Crashes Into Taco Bell Sign In Westlake: A car was photographed completely upright after crashing into a Taco Bell sign on Columbia Road, via Westlake Patch.
• Superintendent Fights For Assessment Overhaul: Strongsville Schools Superintendent Cameron Ryba is pushing to change the state’s system of ranking every school district with grades from “A” to “F,” via Strongsville Patch.

—

“The world is a better place when Duke is out and Cleveland State is in.”

- Cleveland sports superfan Chris McNeil, on Twitter, referring to the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

—

SPORTS TALK: Cleveland State University is a No. 15 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Vikings will face No. 2 seed Houston University in Bloomington, Indiana, in the first round at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

WEATHER IN A WORD: Dreary

LET’S MAKE PLANS: Free produce giveaway events will be held monthly by the Salvation Army Cleveland West Park and Greater Cleveland Food Bank beginning Friday.

• New Vaccine Appointments: New appointment slots have opened at the mass coronavirus vaccination site that opens March 24 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
• The Dinner Detective: A comedy murder mystery dinner show is set for Saturday at The Crowne Plaza Cleveland.
• Concert: The rock band Casting Crowns will perform Thursday night at the KeyBank State Theatre in Cleveland.

» Subscribe to Patch. Click the link to find your community and sign up for free newsletters and real-time news alerts.