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Man found dead in fire was retired police officer

Man found dead in fire was retired police officer

Authorities have identified a retired Toledo police officer as the man who was found dead in a burning North Toledo house Monday evening.

Gerald Kwiatkowski, 84, retired from the police department at age 55 on Dec. 31, 1987 with the rank of patrolman after nearly 29 years of service, according to Lt. Joe Heffernan, the department spokesman.

Toledo Fire Chief Luis Santiago said a 911 call came in around 7:45 p.m. for the fire at 5311 Brophy Dr., off Shoreland Avenue near the Washington Township border. Arriving firefighters observed smoke coming from the building and found fire in several rooms. They discovered the victim, an elderly male, in a bathroom, the chief said.

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Lucas County land records show the house was owned by Ruth Weaver, Mary Landrum, and Eldena Kwiatkowski as co-trustees. The house, built in 1961, had been transferred to the three trustees in 2013 by Gerald Kwiatkowski.

Jesse Marroquin, a next-door neighbor, said a man in his 80s lived alone at the house and was very independent, active, and “sharp.”

“He would snow plow his own driveway,” Mr. Marroquin said.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled today at the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

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Toledo fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld said the cause of the fire was unknown. A fire damage estimate was $40,000, he said.

First Published January 24, 2017, 3:06 p.m.

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