David Edward Offutt was born in Pocatello, Idaho, the son of a railroad switchman. Shortly after the birth the family moved back to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1926 his father died as the result of injuries received in an auto accident. This event changed David's life. His mother re-married after a length of time, to Archie Campbell. From what I know of this person he was very abusive when he had been drinking. David joined the United States Coast Guard, and served for at least one year. After his discharge at Staten Island, New York he returned to Cleveland. What he did for the next couple of years hasn't been determined yet. What I do know is that in around 1935 he was driving a taxi for a living.
Sometime in 1936 he applied for and was accepted as an ambulanceman. His appointment letter is signed by Elliot Ness who was at that time the director of public safety for Cleveland. He continued in this capacity until 1 November 1943, when he was appointed to patrolman. During his service as an ambulanceman he made national news in the November 1941 issue of Look Magazine due to his aptitude for delivering babies. Known as "The Stork" to local and national news organizations, he was unofficially credited with the deliveries of 42 babies during his service with the Cleveland PD
In 1944 he caught the eyes of his superiors, and was selected to become the Mayor's personal driver. He continued in this capacity through several administrations. He rose in the department, becoming a detective, and served until September of 1964. . As well as being a police officer, he also worked part time for the May Company as a store detective. He retired, and shortly thereafter left Cleveland for Arizona. When he moved to Arizona, he soon found work at Motorola, becoming part of their security force. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1970 with their department. He continued to work for Motorola until his death in 1971.
David and his wife Mabel enjoyed the company of their friends, and were avid square dancers, both in Cleveland and after their move to Phoenix in Arizona. David was an avid fisherman, who made the papers in Cleveland several times after fishing expeditions to local area lakes. He was an active member of the Police Masonic Fellowship Club, the Bigelow Masonic Lodge and a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police.