Ed Morel

Collinwood's Own Police Chief

Ed was born October 11, 1930 in his parents' home on Grovewood Avenue in North Collinwood around

Euclid Beach Park. He graduated from Memorial Elementary and Collinwood High School.

He served two years at Ft. Knox Armored School where he was an instructor on tanks. He taught only officers and West Point cadets. Some of the officers were from allied countries and he would need an interpreter.

In the army, Ed met his wife Ruth who lived in Louisville, KY (30 miles from Ft. Knox). After Ed was discharged, they commuted back and forth for a few months until they married June 26th, 1954.

Ed worked a short time at the Office of Production Control, Euclid Division of General Motors and left there to take a job as a patrolman with the Willowick Police Department. Ed progressed through the ranks being promoted from Patrolman to Chief of Police. He retired from the force in May of 1991 with 33 full years of service. In the department, Ed held the position of Ranger Officer, Officer in Charge of Photography and also served as Detective Lieutenant. As Chief of Police, he was instrumental in forming what is now known as the Lake County-West S.W.A.T. Team.

Ed was the youngest child of Mike and Frances. They were both from Austria-Hungary now Slovenia. His parents are deceased as are brothers Frank, Mike, Stan, Joe and sisters Frances and Anna. His sister Mary, 92 years young, is alive and well and living in Euclid.

Ed and Ruth have three sons; Ed Jr. (Susan), Mark (Jenna) and Mike (Heidi) and five grandsons Joe, Mike, Matt, Robert and Daniel.

Ed is a member of various organizations including Collinwood Slovenian Home, Collinwood Pensioners, A.M.L.A. Lodge 45 and many others. 

After retirement, Ed and Ruth sold their home of 40 years in Willowick, and built a home on the Chagrin River in Willoughby Hills where they love to entertain family and friends. They also keep busy on K.P. Duty with the Collinwood Pensioners and traveling whenever possible. Ed enjoys wood Grafting and carving having built a large part of his home's furniture.

Ed is grateful for this award. He would like to dedicate it to his family and friends whom he couldn't do without. Ed also dedicates this to his deceased friends, John Kozlevchar and Eddie Kenik, the best Slovenians ever.