In Memoriam

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Matthew 5:9.

This page is dedicated to the memory of those officers in our lodge who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their community.

Police Officer
Dominic Francis

Bluffton Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Thursday, March 31, 2022
Age: 42
Police Officer Dominic Francis was struck and killed by a vehicle while deploying spike strips near mile marker 142 on southbound I-75 at about 2:30 am.
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol had started pursuing the vehicle on State Route 15 after attempting a traffic stop. The vehicle fled onto I-75 and reached speeds exceeding 130 mph before striking Officer Francis. The three occupants of the vehicle then fled the scene on foot. All three were taken into custody over the next 10 hours. Officer Francis had served in law enforcement for 19 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Police Officer
Frank Herrmann

Bluffton Police Department, OH
EOW: Thursday, September 5, 1929
Age: 68

Night Policeman Frank Herrmann succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was struck by a vehicle he had attempted to stop for speeding on Main Street. He stepped into the travel lane to flag it down when he was struck. Policeman Herrmann had served in law enforcement for 46 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Police Officer
Owen O. Grandstaff

Bluffton Police Department, OH
EOW: Saturday, March 26, 1927
Cause of Death: Heart attack

Night Policeman Owen Grandstaff suffered a fatal heart attack while involved in a foot pursuit. He had just arrested a man for writing a bad check when the man broke free and ran away. Policeman Grandstaff began to chase him when he suddenly collapsed. Policeman Grandstaff was survived by his wife and five children.

Police Officer
William Holley

Findlay Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch:
Sunday, February 20, 1898
Age: 27

Policeman Holly was shot and killed while he and another officer chased two burglary suspects. One of the men opened fire on Policeman Holly, killing him. Both suspects were arrested and charged with murder. The suspect who shot Policeman Holly was sentenced to 20 years at hard labor.

Patrol Officer
Joel F. Miller

Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch:
Monday, December 6, 1971
Age 28
Tour 2 years, 6 months
Badge 675/1123

Patrolman Joel Miller was killed when a train struck his patrol car at the Penn Central Railroad crossing on County Road 15 in Hardin County. Patrolman Miller was stationed at the Findlay Post at the time of the incident. He was survived by his wife, two children, and sister.

Captain
Allen D. McGown

Findlay Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch:
Wednesday, March 26, 1913
Age: 38

Captain Allen McGown drowned while attempting to rescue a woman during the Great Flood of 1913 in which parts of the city were under six feet of water.
His boat capsized as he attempted to rescue the woman from her flooded home. His body was located floating in front of the courthouse approximately five hours later. Approximately 500 people were killed in Ohio as a result of the flood, including Officer William Sexton, of the Columbus Police Department. Captain McGown was survived by his parents, six brothers, and one sister.

Patrol Officer
David L. Sterner

Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch:
Sunday, February 25, 1973
Age 22
Tour 8 months
Badge 1139/1506

Patrolman David Sterner was killed in an automobile accident while in pursuit of a vehicle on State Route 15. When another vehicle pulled in front of his patrol car at State Route 37 he attempted to avoid a collision and struck a culvert. Patrolman Sterner had been with the agency for eight months. He was survived by his wife and parents.

Police Officer
Frank L. Arthur

Findlay Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch:
Monday, November 5, 1934
Age: 32

Policeman Frank Arthur was killed in an automobile accident while on duty.

Sergeant
John F. Best

Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio
End of Watch:
Monday, June 17, 1935
Age 29
Tour 1 year, 6 months
Badge 12/71

Sergeant John Best was electrocuted while testing a radio receiving set at the broadcasting station in Findlay. Sergeant Best was the chief of radio operations at the station. Sergeant Best had served with the agency for 18 months. He was survived by his daughter and parents.