By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mr. Breig

BATAVIA - Woodrow William "Woody" Breig, a retired captain for the Cincinnati Police Department, died at his home here April 13.

"Woody will always be remembered by everyone associated with him for his great integrity, character and wit," said his niece, Holly G. Sander of Florence.

Mr. Breig, 84, graduated from Withrow High School in 1936 and spent two years studying at Transylvania University in Lexington.

In 1938 he joined the Army and served as a military police officer in Cleveland.

In 1941, he joined Cincinnati police as a patrolman, but left when he entered active Army duty in 1945.

He served 29 months in Europe, first as a military police officer in charge of a platoon in France; then with the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, in France and Germany; and finally with the 8th Air Force in England.

Mr. Breig served with the Army - either active duty or Reserves - from 1938 until 1975, when he retired with the rank of colonel.

Throughout those years he taught military courses at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Sill, Okla.; and other military bases. The Army awarded him the Meritorious Service Medal in 1975.

Mr. Breig rejoined Cincinnati police as a supervisor in the Youth Aid Bureau. He was promoted to detective in 1951 and sergeant in 1954. He graduated from the FBI Academy in Washington in 1959, and later achieved the rank of captain. He retired in 1974. He also spent two years as an instructor at the Cincinnati Police Academy.

Mr. Breig was a Big Brother for more than 30 years.

He also was a member of the International Police Association and Scottish Rite, and was a 54-year member of the Grand Lodge of the Free Masons.

He is survived by Miriam Wainman Breig, his wife of 62 years.

Services have been held. Burial was at Dayton National Cemetery.

Memorials: Big Brothers, Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati, 8212 Blue Ash Road, Cincinnati 45236.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com