Roll of Honor
Incident
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 in an attempt to serve an assault warrant. The man initially cooperated with Constable Stone and agreed to accompany him to the police station but then hesitated as they passed a blacksmith shop where his 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. 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 house, 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.
Constable Stone was a Civil War Veteran having served with the 37th U.S. Colored Infantry. He had served with the Oberlin Police Department for six days and also served as the constable with the Russia Township (current-day New Russia Township) for at least three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-80A3A522- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Constable Stone gave the Oberlin Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oberlin community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Franklin Stone served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Constable Franklin Stone is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Oberlin Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Franklin Stone's cause is highlighted.
How Franklin Stone Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Franklin Stone is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Franklin Stone was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Oberlin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
