At 10:00 a.m. on Friday April 28,, the Bluffton Police Department will hold a dedication ceremony to officially name the portion of I-75 the “Officer Dominic Francis Memorial Highway.” This event will take place on the third floor of the Bluffton Town Hall.
The memorial sign will be presented during the ceremony. Afterwards, ODOT will place the signs on I-75 near mile marker 139 Northbound and 143 Southbound.
During the 134th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, House Bill 702 was introduced by Speaker Robert Cupp and Representative Jon Cross. The bill was written to designate a portion of I-75 in Allen and Hancock counties in Francis’ memory This bill was voted on and passed in December of 2022.
Officer Dominic Francis was killed in the line of duty on March 31, 2022, assisting in efforts to stop a vehicle fleeing law enforcement at high speeds.
In 2018, Icon editor Fred Steiner provided this description of Francis upon his being awarded the department’s officer of the year award:
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“This officer makes work enjoyable.” That's how Bluffton police chief, Ryan Burkholder described Dominic Francis.
Bluffton police selected Francis as their “officer of the year,” for 2018, according to Burkholder.
“This award is given to Officer Francis nominated by his peers,” Burkholder said at the Jan. 14 Bluffton council meeting.
“Officer Francis is very proactive in traffic enforcement and taking drugs off the streets. He is always willing to stay past shift and assist other officers,” continued Burkholder, added that Francis always has a positive and motivating attitude.
Bluffton residents may not see much of Francis in the winter since his shift is 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
In a conversation with him earlier this week, it’s obvious that he see residents, as he mentioned to the Icon editor that he passes by Grove Street frequently as the editor walks his dog at night.
Francis responded to 1,400 calls in 2018. He issues 130 citations, was responsible for 37 drug-related arrests and 16 driving under the influence (DUI) pullovers.
A 1998 graduate of Cory-Rawson High School, Francis then graduated from the University of Findlay in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He graduated from the police academy the next year.
Prior to joining the Bluffton police department in 2010 he was a member of the Findlay police department and earlier a member of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
