Otto Goetsch

Otto Goetsch (born April 23, 1900 in Börnecke ; † November 14, 1962 in Düsseldorf ) was Deputy Police President of Düsseldorf in April 1945 and participated in the resistance against the Nazi regime .

Life

After graduating from high school, Goetsch studied agriculture as well as law and political science in Berlin . He completed both studies with a doctorate. During his studies he became a member of the Prussia Berlin fraternity . He then did his legal clerkship at various courts in order to finally enter the civil service in 1928. During his career, he was transferred to various police headquarters and regional councils.

From 1920 to 1933 Goetsch was initially a member of the SPD , from 1934 a member of the NSDAP . In 1943 Goetsch was transferred to Düsseldorf from the Sosnowitz police headquarters. In Düsseldorf he was appointed head of the administrative police. At the same time he was appointed deputy chief of police.

Resistance in Düsseldorf

In April 1945 he took part in an action by the citizens of Düsseldorf to surrender the city to the advancing American forces without a fight. (See Aktion Rheinland ) .

After 1945

Shortly after their invasion, the Americans appointed Goetsch as police president on May 18, 1945 . Even after the British took over command of Düsseldorf, Goetsch remained in this position. However, Goetsch did not take over the later German administration. His request for reinstatement was denied. In a settlement it was agreed to take Goetsch into the service of the city of Düsseldorf. Goetsch tried several times, also through administrative courts, to regain the position of police chief of Düsseldorf, but failed.

In 1957 Goetsch retired due to illness and died on November 14, 1962.

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• Article by PHK Klaus-Fr. Dönecke, Düsseldorf Police Headquarters, press and public relations (PDF file; 415 kB)

Individual evidence

1. ^ Membership directory of the Frankenburg-Bau-Verein eV Berlin 1940, p. 14.