Police Academy Fundraiser Honors Memory of Former Associate Commander

Fundraiser starts Feb. 1 to raise money to benefit Tri-C cadets

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) Police Academy will be hosting a fundraiser with Jack Frost’s Donuts to support the Erwin Eberhardt Scholarship in honor of the late associate commander’s continuing influence on cadets.

A 2018 Police Academy graduate, Taylor Ingraham, launched the fundraising drive in 2021 that created scholarships in memory of Eberhardt. The Erwin Eberhardt Scholarship has helped 55 cadets with their tuition and mandatory equipment costs.

The donut fundraiser starts Feb. 1 and ends Feb. 29.

Money raised will go to the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation to be awarded to future Police Academy cadets. Donations can also be made directly to the Foundation.

Eberhardt served as associate commander of the Police Academy, training the next generation of law enforcement officers as a part-time instructor since 2009.

"Erwin Eberhardt is a beacon of dedication and compassion," said Shawn Smith, a commander with the Tri-C Police Academy and lieutenant with the Cleveland Police Department. "His unwavering commitment to hard work and genuine care is truly remarkable. Not only was he dedicated to teaching others, but he went above and beyond by generously volunteering his time to teach kids chess. His selflessness was evident in every action, as he not only imparted knowledge but also embodied kindness by being the person who would give you the shirt off his back.

"He is a true inspiration and made a positive impact through his teaching and compassionate gestures."

Eberhardt brought 30 years of experience with the Cleveland Police Department into Tri-C's classrooms. He took pride in sharing real-world examples of life as a first responder while teaching cadets how to balance the many roles and responsibilities of the job. Eberhardt died Feb. 18, 2021.

January 23, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu