Todd DeKatch Named Senior Director of Safety and Investigations for Diocese of Cleveland

Cleveland - Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, is pleased to announce that Todd DeKatch has been named Senior Director of Safety and Investigations effective June 5. In this role, he will support the activities and initiatives of the Bishop and senior staff, as well as provide consultation across all diocesan and parish entities.

Mr. DeKatch will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive diocesan-wide safety, security, threat management, and investigation program. He is charged with advancing a proactive, intelligence-informed approach to protecting clergy, employees, students, volunteers, parishioners, visitors, facilities, and operations throughout the Diocese.\

“I am so pleased to have Todd join us in this critical role,” said Bishop Malesic. “His extensive experience in all facets of law enforcement is extremely valuable and will be essential as he guides diocesan, parish and school staff throughout our eight counties.”

Mr. DeKatch’s career spans more than 30 years, most recently as director of special projects and training at Haven Lock, Inc., a provider of security products and services. He spent 25 years in the FBI, retiring as a supervisory special agent in late 2024. Throughout his tenure at the FBI, his work encompassed leading the organized crime drug enforcement task force program; managing a multi-agency mission to target the most violent offenders in Northeast Ohio; leading efforts across multiple divisions to identify and mitigate national threats; directing the child abduction  rapid deployment team; leading Cleveland’s crisis negotiation team during the Republican National Convention in 2016; and leading the Cleveland Division’s Criminal Branch, overseeing violent crime, drug, public corruption, white collar, health care fraud and organized crime squads. He spent four years with the Michigan State Police prior to joining the FBI.

Mr. DeKatch earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kalamazoo College. He is a certified FBI crisis negotiator and has been recognized with awards for outstanding contributions to cooperative law enforcement and outstanding contributions to community partnerships for public safety.   

He and his family reside in Copley and attend St. Sebastian Parish