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Incident
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. One subject was sentenced to 24 months for the charge of failure to comply and one year for receiving stolen property after pleading guilty.
Officer Francis had served in law enforcement for 19 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Francis gave the Bluffton Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bluffton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Francis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bluffton Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Dominic is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Dominic is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dominic is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 2 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 53rd heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Dominic was 42. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Dominic had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dominic was 42. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Dominic had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dominic was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Dominic had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Bluffton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Bluffton Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Dominic among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Bluffton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.