Hancock Co. Fallen Officer's Memorial Service, May 22
Officer Dominic Francis, of the Bluffton Police Department, will be one of several names added to the Hancock County Fallen Officer's Memorial during the Fallen Officer’s Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m. on Monday May 22, 2023, at the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20, 1769 South Romick Parkway, Findlay, Ohio.
Ofc. Francis is one of three officers and one chief being added to the wall during the service. Robert and Blake Francis will be unveiling Ofc. Francis’ name on the memorial during the service. Robert is a retired Findlay Police Detective, retired member of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 and the father of Ofc. Francis. Blake is a student at Van Buren High School and the son of Ofc. Francis.
In 2023 the memorial was updated to include all departments in Hancock County, adding the Fostoria Police Department, University of Findlay Campus Police Department, and the Bluffton Police Department. They will now be honored alongside currently listed departments: the Hancock County Park District, McComb Police Department, Ohio Division of Wildlife District 2, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Findlay Police Department, and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
The full list of added names will be:
- Officer Owen Grandstaff, Bluffton Police Department, End of Watch 3/26/1927
- Officer Frank Herrmann, Bluffton Police Department, End of Watch 9/5/1929
- Chief Franklin Culp, Fostoria Police Department, End of Watch 4/23/1950
- Officer Dominic Francis, Bluffton Police Department, End of Watch 3/31/2022
Beyond the names added, six law enforcement members will be honored during the ceremony:
- Officer William Holly, Findlay Police Department, End of Watch 3/22/1898
- Captain Albert McGown, Findlay Police Department, End of Watch 3/25/1913
- Officer Frank L. Arthur, Findlay Police Department, End of Watch 11/5/1934
- Sergeant John F. Best, Ohio State Highway Patrol, End of Watch 6/17/1935
- Trooper David L. Sterner, Ohio State Highway Patrol, End of Watch 2/25/1971
- Trooper Joel F. Miller, Ohio State Highway Patrol, End of Watch 12/6/1971
This year’s guest speaker will be Anna Ulinski, wife of fallen Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Jared Ulinski. In addition to Mrs. Ulinski, the agenda includes the reading of a joint proclamation of the City of Findlay and the Hancock County Commissioners by Mayor Christina Muryn, readings by the Hancock County Chaplains and FOP Vice President Brian White, a musical interlude by the Toledo Pipe & Drum Corps and the laying of the wreath at the memorial by the heads of the agencies in attendance.
The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served inside the lodge following the service. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held the same date and time at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 8360 County Road 140, Findlay.
In 2022, 246 officers died in the line of duty in the U.S., and four of these officers were from Ohio. These officers, along with 310 officers from previous years, were added to the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington DC and honored at ceremonies last week on the National Mall and at the U.S. Capitol. These ceremonies, including the one held in Hancock County, coincide with Police Week. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Ticket and livestream info for Bluffton Pirates v. Patrick Henry football
- Service of thanks at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
- Pirate girls basketball beats Hornets in McDonald’s opener
- 100+ voices in Bluffton's Handel's Messiah chorus
- Pirate Worcester named top district defender
- BVHS receives Level 7 achievement in ‘Most Wired’ survey
Thursday, November 21, 2024
- McDonald’s Holiday Tournament, Thursday, November 21
- 2024 Fall Festival in pictures: At the Schumacher Homestead
- Fairy I. Parkins was postmaster of Benton Ridge
- Council committee and residents discuss ADUs, best and worst case scenarios
- BPL hosts Open Crafts and Game Space, November 26
- Women in Business meet November 21
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Nov. 13-19
- ODOT prepping for first snow of the season
- Mason named OBL 2024 Banker of the Year
- October 2024 land transfers in Bluffton school district
- November chamber meeting explores member news, Blaze plans and flag etiquette
- Bluffton EMS by the numbers: October 2024
- Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions
- Icon search function goes from 0 to 30
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Tickets and streaming information for Nov. 22 Pirate football playoff game
- Spirit Bus for November 22 football playoff in Findlay
- Tea Bag Exchange & Tasting at BPL, November 21
- Letter: University students learn about Fair Trade
- Join volunteer crew for 2024 Ream Display-Blaze of Lights setup
- Village of Bluffton asks for updated utility billing contact information
Monday, November 18, 2024
- Dorothy P. Moser operated Moser Electric
- Multi-agency active shooter drill to be held at Apollo
- Adopt-a-Family for Christmas via Bluffton Food Pantry
- Pirate football to play Hamler Patrick Henry at Findlay
- The "Brice" Presbyterian Church cornerstone
- Pirate football to face Patrick Henry in region finals