By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As local official gathered to honor law enforcement members Wednesday, they listened to the story of the first law man gunned down in Wood County more than a century ago.
Standing on the steps of the Wood County Courthouse, Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matthew Reger talked about the first jury trial held in the courthouse in 1896. The case involved Thomas Jones – who was found guilty of murdering North Baltimore officer Jesse Baker.
Jones and a couple other men of low moral standing had already robbed some safes in Jerry City.
“Remember, this was an area flush with oil,” Reger said.
While that oil created economic development, “it also attracted a criminal element,” the judge said.
After safe-cracking in Jerry City, Jones and the two other men set their sights on the post office in North Baltimore. Newspaper accounts differ as to whether the men intended to steal postage stamps or break into the safe.
But during the nighttime heist, a postal employee happened upon the robbery. The three men ran, and the postal worker found officer Jesse Baker, who was patrolling Main Street in North Baltimore.
Baker, age 35, had been on the night watchman job for just six months, but he had his trusty canine with him – a bulldog named Jack.
Baker found the culprits and ordered his dog to attack. Jack was able to bite Jones, but was then shot and killed by the man. Jones then turned his gun on Baker. The first two shots missed the officer, but the third went through his left eye, Reger said.
Realizing he was mortally wounded, Baker asked to be taken home to his wife. He died about three hours later, around 5 a.m.
A manhunt ensued for Jones and the other two men, who were found outside Findlay. The jury found Jones guilty of murder.
Reger reflected that Baker likely had little training, and no firearm. Yet he was committed to his job of protecting his community.
“Jesse Baker is the first known officer killed in the line of duty in Wood County,” the judge said. “That is that same dedication I have seen from law enforcement every day.”
Though they face circumstances where their lives are in peril, law enforcement officers do not buckle, he said.
“Police officers remain stalwart in their dedication to protect,” Reger said. “The very foundation of our system of justice relies on the enforcement of laws.”
Even during the murder trial of Jones, local police had to continue enforcing the laws. Reger read a Bowling Green police blotter entry during the trial in which a man was arrested for “filling up on red liquor” and striking a man in the head. The arrested man was fined $5 for drunkenness and $10 for fighting.
“Today we remember Jessie Baker and all those who die in the line of duty,” Reger said, thanking all the police, sheriff officers and troopers present who do the same every day.
Bowling Green Police Chief Tony Hetrick shared the story of Bowling Green’s first officer who was killed while on duty. He told of Patrolman Austin Harman, who in 1919 was removing lumber from along the street after a parade welcoming home World War I soldiers.
Another officer’s gun fell to the ground and accidentally discharged, hitting Harman in a major artery.
The family of one officer killed in the line of duty was present at the memorial service on Wednesday. Clifton Miller, of Rossford Police Department, was killed in a car crash in 1966, but still remembered by his family.
“We must never forget the sacrifices,” Hetrick said.
“Events of our lives don’t happen with a movie soundtrack that warns” of impending danger, Reger said.
And often the job of law enforcement goes without notice or fanfare.
“As with all jobs done well, no one notices unless it is not there,” he said.
The program began with proclamations read by the Wood County Commissioners and Bowling Green Mayor Dick Edwards. It concluded with the reading of the names of all 12 local fallen officers who died in the line of duty, followed by a 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps,” and the playing of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes.
Following is a list of the 12 law enforcement members in Wood County who died in the line of duty:
Patrolman Jesse Baker, North Baltimore Police. On June 19, 1896, Baker and his faithful dog responded to the post office as three men were breaking in. Baker was shot and died as a result of his injuries.
Marshal Frank Thornton, Perrysburg Police Department. On Dec. 28, 1905, Thornton was told that five wanted individuals were at the Krauss Restaurant, so he went to confront them. During an exchange of gunfire, Thornton was struck by a bullet. He was taken by a street car to Toledo Hospital. He later died due to an infection from his wounds. His last spoken words were reported as: “I hope the people of Perrysburg are satisfied that I have done my duty.”
Patrolman Austin Harman, Bowling Green Police Department. On May 13, 1919, Harman was accidentally shot when the revolver dropped from the holster of his partner, Officer E.J. Alkire. The officers were removing a pile of lumber that was creating a driving hazard for motorists. Harman was shot in the groin and died shortly after.
Deputy Ellsworth Beaverson, Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Beaverson was known for his active enforcement against alcohol peddlers in the area. On Aug. 27, 1927, he was on patrol riding his sheriff’s motorcycle on southern Ohio 25. A Studebaker pulled into his path and they collided. Beaverson was thrown from his motorcycle and died as a result of his injuries.
Patrolman Ralph Castner, Bowling Green Police Department. On April 16, 1931, notorious criminal Frank Mitchell and William Miller (also known as “Billy the Killer”) and their two girlfriends came to Bowling Green. As the group reached the corner of Clough and Prospect streets, Castner and Chief Galligher stopped their vehicle. During an exchange of gunfire, Castner was struck. He survived his wounds for seven days, then died from his injuries on April 23.
Marshal Jay Davis, North Baltimore Police Department. Having stolen a car and abducted a salesman from Toledo, three brothers named Manley, Bert and James Storey headed south to Bowling Green in July of 1932. There they robbed a gas station and abducted the gas station attendant and the owner. As they drove on a mud road west of Rudolph, they decided their hostages were becoming bothersome. One brother suggested they kill them. Another brother argued against this, so they dumped the hostages off near Rudolph. The following day, the Storey brothers were spotted near Walnut Street in North Baltimore. Residents notified Davis, who grabbed his gun and headed out to locate the brothers. He came across them in an alley east of Main and East Walnut streets, and told them to put their hands up. Two brothers complied and allowed Davis to walk up to them. As the marshal began searching one brother, another brother pulled a gun and shot Davis.
Officer Clifton Miller, Rossford Police Department. In May of 1966, Miller was pursuing a vehicle being driven by Tom Watterson, who was driving at a high rate of speed through Rossford. Miller was attempting to stop Watterson as they proceeded on River Road. Watterson lost control and plunged down the river embankment. Miller then lost control of his police cruiser and swung to the left into the path of another car. He died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Trooper Jon Birchem, Ohio Highway State Patrol. On Feb. 27, 1967, Birchem was working the Ohio Turnpike, pursuing two speeding motorists. As he approached the Ohio 795 overpass, he lost control of his cruiser and crashed. He died as a result of his injuries. The drivers of the vehicles he was pursuing never stopped, and were never identified. Birchem was 22 years old, and had just graduated from the Ohio Highway Patrol Academy in June 1966.
Patrolman Kip Boulis, Perrysburg Police. On May 31, 1976, Boulis responded to the Maumee River where four people had fallen into the water as their boat sank. Boulis dove into the deep water to save the man and his three children. Unfortunately, he was snagged by a submerged large tree branch and was drowned. The family members in the water were able to hold onto a cooler and were later rescued by fishermen and fire department personnel.
Sgt. Robert Schiffman, Perrysburg Police. On Nov. 1, 1978, Schiffman was traveling south on Route 25 near Sugar Ridge Road when another driver went left of center and struck the police cruiser. He was killed instantly in the head-on collision.
Chief Thomas W. Hall, Northwood Police Department. Hall passed away on Dec. 31, 1981 as a result of medical issues occurring while he was on duty. He was handling a traffic crash in front of Grabenstetter Chrysler/Plymouth, when he suffered a stroke and later passed away.
Deputy Thomas Bryant, Wood County Sheriff’s Office. On July 23, 1984, Bryant was patrolling the southern part of the county when he received a call of a breaking and entering near North Baltimore. As he was traveling on Route 25 south of Ohio 281, he lost control of his cruiser as it veered off the road and overturned. Bryant, 27, died as a result of his injuries.
