The events of March 31–including the pursuit and arrest of three suspects who drove across Ohio at speeds up to 140 miles per hour and who struck and killed Bluffton Police officer Dominic Francis–have gripped the greater Bluffton area.
They have also attracted attention across Ohio, the midwest, and the nation, bringing messages of condolence and support from near and far, including from Mayor of Bluffton Richard Johnson:
The Bluffton Area Ministerial Association in collaboration with the Bluffton University Peace Club and local churches will host a Community Prayer Vigil in memory and honor of Officer Dominic Francis for his unparalleled commitment and exceptional service to the Village of Bluffton and the Cory-Rawson School District.
The prayer vigil will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1 on the lawn of Bluffton Presbyterian Church, 112 N. Main. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs.
In honor of the life and legacy of Bluffton Police Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Allen and Hancock counties, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.
Liberty-Benton scored five first-inning runs and went on to defeat the visiting Bluffton High School baseball team 8-3 in a non-conference contest Wednesday evening, March 30.
The Pirates inched within 5-3 after three innings with the aid of two Eagle errors. But the hosts tacked on three runs in the fourth and fifth frames to put the game out of reach.
Eagle starter Trevin Lieb earned the pitching win and slapped an RBI single. He gave up just one hit and no runs over four innings, and struck out seven Pirates.
A Bluffton police officer has been killed an attempt to stop suspects driving at high speeds across the state. Three suspects have been apprehended as of 12:49 p.m., according to the State Highway Patrol.
A vehicle speeding in excess of 100 m.p.h. was identified multiple times by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in the early hours of March 31.
At 2:30 a.m. Bluffton Police officer Dominic Francis was attempting to deploy stop sticks when he was struck by the suspect vehicle. Officer Francis later succumbed to his injuries from the crash.
