Remembering Philip Maher
Officer Philip Maher served the Collinwood neighborhood from 1949 to 1975. His beat was E. 152nd and Lake Shore Blvd. as well as E 185th Street. He patrolled the neighborhood and acted as a crossing guard at the corner of Lake Shore Blvd. and East 152nd. He was very popular with neighborhood residents and knew the children by name. The principals of St. Jerome and Memorial schools credited him with inspiring a number of youngsters to pursue careers in law enforcement because of their experience of knowing Phil.
On May 29, 1975 Officer Maher ran a block and a half to aid a young man involved in a motorcycle accident. After stopping traffic and helping the victim out of the street, he picked the motorcycle back up and rolled it off the street. He waited with the victim until the ambulance came and then walked back to his corner to cross the children going home for lunch. He collapsed shortly after and later died at Euclid General Hospital.
In tribute to him and his selfless service, the corner of E. 152nd and Lake Shore Blvd was renamed Maher Square and a stone monument was placed there. Over the years it has been struck by cars on at least two occasions. Our Councilman, Michael Polensek, has himself paid to have it restored once. Recently, it was hit again and damaged. After consulting with the Maher family, it has been decided to move the monument onto the grounds of St. Jerome School, where it will be both more visible and more protected. Anyone interested in making a donation for this worthy cause can send it to Collinwood Nottingham Dev. Corp. (CNVDC) at 15614 St Clair Avenue (44110). CNVDC is a 501(c)(3) orginization, so your contribution will be tax deductible. In the “Memo line” please write for Ptl. Phil Maher Monument.
Adele Markert
Parish Secretary/business manager at St. Jerome Church