END OF WATCH:Â June 5, 1881
Oberlin Police Department
Constable Frank Stone succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on May 12th, 1881, after a foot pursuit of a subject whom he was attempting to arrest at approximately 7:00 pm. He had arrested a man the previous day to serve an
assault warrant. The man initially cooperated with Constable Stone and agreed to accompany him to the police station, but the man hesitated as they passed a blacksmith shop where the man’s father and brother were working. The family members exited the shop and attacked Constable Stone, allowing the prisoner to escape. Constable Stone swore out warrants for the father and brother and then attempted to serve them the following day. As he attempted to arrest the brother, the man fled on foot with Constable Stone firing at him as he ran on foot. One of the rounds wounded the man, who ran to his home at 26 Mechanic Street (modern day Locust Street). As Constable Stone reached the home the man’s father stood in the doorway and shot him in the chest with a rifle, causing a serious wound. Constable Stone was taken to his home where he remained until passing away on June 5, 1881.
The man who shot Constable Stone was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was pardoned in 1891 due to his old age and frail condition.
