West Chester Township Police Officer Zachary McMullen, 21, of Cincinnati, dies; Family and Department Mourn Loss of Beloved Son and Rookie Cop

Zachary Daniel McMullen, a young police officer with the West Chester Township Police Department, passed away on June 14, 2026, in West Chester, Ohio. He was just 21 years old. His death has left a deep void in his department, his family, and the broader community he had committed himself to protecting.

Born on July 18, 2004, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Zach grew up with a clear sense of purpose. He attended Lakota East and Butler Tech before earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Owens Community College.

That education was not merely a credential but the foundation of a calling. He joined the West Chester Township Police Department in September 2025, barely nine months before his passing, stepping into a career he had long worked toward.

Minnesota Wildlife Rehabilitator Samantha Troff, 20s, Dies in Motorcycle Crash With Partner Shelby Walker

Alongside his police service, he proudly served his country as a Private First Class in the Army National Guard, completing his training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

A Young Man Who Never Met a Stranger

Those who knew Zach describe someone impossible not to like. He was kind, caring, and genuinely interested in the people around him. He loved baseball and stayed connected to the sport through his high school and college years.

Country music, history, and tight friendships rounded out a life that, while brief, was full. He was an active member of the Young Adults group at Crossroads Church, where his warmth and enthusiasm made a lasting impression on those around him.

Zach is survived by his parents, Dan and Tara McMullen; his sister, Maggie McMullen, and her fiancé, Preston Dorsey; his brother, Matthew McMullen; his grandmother, Vicki Mangold; and his dog, Arrow. He is also remembered by aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues, and fellow members of the law enforcement community who called him a brother.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Hodapp Funeral Homes in Liberty Township, located at 6410 Cincinnati Dayton Road.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 5720 Hamilton Mason Road, Liberty Township. Those wishing to pay their respects may also visit the online guestbook at Hodapp Funeral Home’s website.

Zachary McMullen gave the early chapters of his adult life entirely to others, whether in uniform on the streets of West Chester or in training with the National Guard. The community he served for less than a year will carry his memory far longer than that.