BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — On Thursday afternoon, a Highway Dedication Ceremony was held to honor the life of fallen Patrolman Robert E. Karsmizki.
Before Karsmizki, nicknamed “Kars,” joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in September 1947, he served in the Army Air Forces as a WWII veteran, flying B-29 bombers in combat. He was awarded the American Theater Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
After returning home, he joined the highway patrol as a graduating member of the 23rd Academy Class and was assigned to the Bucyrus Post.
Colleagues affectionately described him as a quiet, steady, and dependable officer who earned the complete trust of those who served alongside him while patrolling isolated rural highways.
On the night of March 30, 1957, Patrolman Karsmizki was completing his shift and preparing to head home when a radio alert reported a vehicle stolen at gunpoint. Karsmizki spotted the car and began a pursuit, reaching nearly 100 mph as the chase headed toward Galion.
Local police had established a roadblock near Galion when the vehicle crashed.
Exercising tactical caution, Karsmizki handed his rifle to a fellow officer to cover him as he approached the crashed vehicle. As Karsmizki closed in, the suspect opened fire, fatally shooting him.
He was only 35 years old.
Over the last 70 years, the Karsmizki-Carson family has maintained a multigenerational commitment to public service across law enforcement, fire service, and nursing.
Karsmizki’s brother, Raymond Carson, spent years lobbying state officials for a formal highway memorial sign. After Raymond’s death, Karsmizki’s nephew, Jim Carson, who was only 2 years old when his uncle was killed, continued attending annual memorial ceremonies and persistently advocated for state recognition of his uncle’s sacrifice.
Former state trooper and current Ohio state Rep. Kevin Miller, R-Newark, introduced and shepherded the memorial legislation through the Ohio General Assembly to ensure fallen troopers were properly honored.
The highway section honoring Karsmizki is on State Route 19 between Beck Road and Linden Drive.
“I think my dad and my aunt have a smile on their faces up above because they fought for this,” Karsmizki’s nephew, Jim Carson, said with tears in his eyes.
The superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Col. Charles A. Jones, and Rep. Kevin D. Miller both spoke at the ceremony, commending Karsmizki for his service in uniform.
