TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo is remembering retired police Officer Dana Slay, a longtime member of the Toledo Police Department whose career included more than three decades of service to the city.
Slay died Sept. 27 at the age of 67, according to Pastor Carl E. Mitchell III.
She joined the Toledo Police Department in 1990 and served in both patrol and community services. During her time with the department, Slay became known for her work with residents, neighborhood groups and young people across Toledo.
In January 2023, Slay was issued Toledo Police Department Badge No. 1, a badge traditionally held by the department’s most senior patrol officer. The honor recognized her as the department’s longest-serving active patrol officer at the time. Slay was the first Black officer, and the first Black woman, to receive Badge No. 1 in Toledo.
Her work in the department’s Community Services Division included block watch meetings and youth outreach. Family members and former colleagues described Slay as someone who cared deeply about helping young people and encouraging them to build better futures.
The Toledo Police Department remembered Slay as a mentor, friend and trailblazing officer whose service left a lasting impact on the department and the Toledo community.
Slay is being remembered by her family, former colleagues and residents whose lives she touched during her years of service.
