Colerain Police Department Chief of Police Mark C. Denney wishes to extend the appreciation of the
entire department to the Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office for
their detailed, diligent and professional review of the crash that took the life of Colerain Police Officer
Dale J. Woods.
From the start of this tragic process, it was our desire to see justice done for Dale. Therefore, we
requested assistance from the Cincinnati Police Department immediately after Dale was struck.
Everyone deserved a professional, unbiased investigation to determine the facts and decide the proper
course of action. We were in no position to do that.
Through the investigation it was made clear that Dale was not at fault for this crash. He was properly
conducting his duty and was wearing all safety equipment as required by policy. However, even when
we take all the necessary precautions, accidents happen, and tragedies occur. Police work is dangerous.
It then falls to the experts, to the best of their ability, to find out what happened and decide how to
proceed.
While there was an immediate demand for information, justice can often take time. The fact that
answers were not immediately provided after Dale died does not indicate anything other than this was a
very important investigation and it was being done with the intent of finding the truth, not making
news.
The people tasked with this terrible investigation are true professionals. They conducted their duty with
honor and skill, and we thank them. It was their responsibility to look at the incident objectively and
present those fact to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. It then becomes their responsibility to
make the decision on how to proceed. Their role is not to simply charge someone because an officer
died, but to apply the law to the facts. I am confident that happened in this case.
Six weeks ago this evening, Dale Woods was struck while serving Colerain Township. He died three days
later on January 7, 2019. Dale believed in justice and was an honorable man and is a hero. Dale would
have wanted a fair review of this incident and would be proud of the work done on his behalf.
Along with Dale’s family and Colerain Township, we will continue to heal and remember the sacrifice
Dale made for our community.