Legendary WCPO 9 photographer, Cincinnati information icon Chic Poppe dies at 82

CINCINNATI — Former WCPO 9 photographer and Cincinnati information legend Chic Poppe died Saturday. He was 82.

Poppe leaves behind his spouse, Judy, in addition to seven kids and 18 grandchildren.

A widely known determine within the Cincinnati information scene, Poppe labored at WCPO 9 for roughly 40 years till his retirement in 2008.

WCPO 9 VP and General Manager Jeff Brogan, who labored with Poppe for years, mentioned he was “larger than life.”

“Everyone knew him,” Brogan mentioned. “The other news stations, the police, the mayor. Everyone knew Chic and loved Chic.”

WATCH: We’re remembering the enduring WCPO 9 photographer Chic Poppe

Legendary WCPO 9 photographer, Cincinnati information icon Chic Poppe dies at 82

During his tenure with WCPO, Poppe was primarily a reporter and photographer, preferring to be out within the subject. Poppe was identified for carrying his personal digicam gear and chasing down tales, in addition to his eager means to search out breaking information — typically even arriving earlier than the police.

“It felt like the news would find him,” Brogan mentioned. “He was always there when something big happened, and the police and the fire and all of his friends out in the public knew that they could trust him.”

Both former WCPO 9 Sports Director John Popovich and Anchor Tanya O’Rourke informed us that Poppe wasn’t your typical photographer, as a substitute appearing like a reporter with a digicam. Popovich known as him forward of his time.

Poppe was additionally the primary man Popovich knew who used to sleep with a police radio scanner on his bedside nightstand.

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“If something happened overnight, Chic got up, got in the car, went and covered it. He was that kind of guy. He loved news,” Popovich mentioned.

Poppe was a part of many notable tales over his a long time with WCPO 9, however two of his most notable works featured convicted serial killers Donald Harvey and Glen Rogers.

In the late Nineteen Eighties, Poppe was capable of get unique footage of Harvey, who WCPO 9 was capable of assist police hook up with a number of different deaths for which he was convicted.

Later in 1995, Poppe was capable of query Rogers on digicam simply moments after capturing his arrest in Waco, Ky., after a nationwide manhunt.

WATCH: Chic Poppe questions serial killer Glen Rogers moments after his arrest

“This guy worked his tail off for people in the Cincinnati area … He wanted to take you there to the story as it was happening, and literally no one could do it like Chic Poppe,” Brogan mentioned. “It was amazing … He wanted to get you access, and man did he give you access.”

O’Rourke mentioned she realized a lot from Poppe over the 16 years they labored collectively, together with having the tenacity to ask the laborious questions and constructing a relationship with these you’re employed alongside.

“You know what he taught me? Be kind to those people who you’re working with on a scene. Get to know them, befriend them, because ultimately, they will be very helpful to you,” she mentioned.

Poppe ultimately retired from WCPO 9 in 2008 attributable to well being causes, together with prostate most cancers.

After his retirement, Poppe beat most cancers and gave again to his neighborhood by volunteering with Pink Ribbon Girls, the place he’d drive most cancers sufferers to and from their chemotherapy appointments. He additionally remained linked with a number of former colleagues and attended varied WCPO 9 gatherings.

“There’s a reason why this station has done so well over the years, and it’s on the foundation of people like Chic Poppe,” Brogan mentioned.