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Massillon officer, suspect killed in chase, shootout
The Canton Repository (OHIO) ^ | Saturday, August 10, 2002 | LORI MONSEWICZ and ROBERT WANG Repository staff writers

Posted on 08/10/2002 6:07:37 AM PDT by ResistorSister

MASSILLON (OHIO) -- A city police officer and a man he was chasing are dead, killed in a shootout at the old Agathon ballfield Friday night.

Killed were Eric Taylor, 31, a four-year veteran of the Police Department, and a still unidentified suspect.

“This is a major tragedy for our city,” said Mayor Francis Cicchinelli, who announced Taylor’s death at Massillon Community Hospital at about 11:45 p.m.

Taylor was married, with three young children.

Investigators from the Ohio Highway Patrol, Massillon Police Department and Stark County coroner’s office remained at the scene past midnight, as did the body of the suspect, a balding, white man who was driving a four-door Ford sedan with Stark County license plates. His body was covered with one sheet, another blocked the view of the more than 100 bystanders who gathered near First Street and Cherry Road NW.

Massillon Patrol Officer Eric Taylor
Massillon Patrol Officer
Eric Taylor

The trouble began shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Route 21 and Edwards Road in Wayne County near Doylestown, according to Lt. Herb Homan, commander of the Wooster Post of the Highway Patrol.

One of his troopers had stopped the southbound Ford on Route 21 at 8:22 p.m. for speeding. The trooper talked with the driver, there was a confrontation and five minutes later, the trooper reported the car was fleeing. He chased it south, and Massillon police got involved.

The chase ended in Massillon east of Route 21, in the ballfield just south of Cherry Road.

The body of the suspect
The body of the suspect.

Lt. Gary Lewis of the Highway Patrol said the man got out of his car with a high-powered semiautomatic weapon, and that he fired first at officers. At least three Massillon officers and a trooper were involved in the gunfire. He said they don’t know which officer fired the shot that killed the suspect nor do they know which shot killed Taylor.

EVIDENCE. An investigator places evidence markers at the scene of a deadly shootout at First Street and Cherry Road NW in Massillon on Friday night.
EVIDENCE. An investigator places evidence markers at the scene
of a deadly shootout at First Street and Cherry Road NW
in Massillon on Friday night. Repository / Bob Rossiter

Scott McElfresh said he was watching television in his home on Cherry Road, northeast of the scene, when he heard shots. He looked out his window and saw flashes from gunfire.

He estimated he heard four shots and then an additional 30 to 40 shots, and that he saw flashes indicating police were returning fire.

“It’s not something you expect to happen in Massillon,” he said.

Other witnesses said they heard 10 to 12 shots.

“We didn’t know if it was fireworks or gunshots,” said Dave Hodgson, who was with friends about a block to the north.

Stark County Coroner James Pritchard said the suspect died of gunshot wounds, but he won’t know how many until he does an autopsy on the man today. He’ll also do an autopsy on Taylor.

Taylor was rushed from the scene to Massillon Community moments after the shooting.

The suspect’s body remained on the corner of a field off of First Street and Cherry Road until after midnight. Police said they had not verified the man’s identification, and they wouldn’t release his name until family was notified.

DEADLY SCENE. A Massillon police officer sits in stunned silence after a shootout that left Police Officer Eric Taylor and an unidentified suspect (on ground at left) dead from gunshot wounds Friday.
DEADLY SCENE. A Massillon police officer sits in
stunned silence after a shootout that left Police Officer Eric Taylor
and an unidentified suspect (on ground at left) dead from gunshot wounds Friday.

Through the early morning, Taylor’s cruiser and the suspect’s car remained in the middle of the field on which The Arena is being built.

The Highway Patrol and Massillon police are sharing the investigation.

They used 44 red cups to mark shell casings and other pieces of evidence on First Street. Bright lights illuminated the scene, showing the back window of a Massillon cruiser was shattered, and glass was scattered across the street.

A helicopter from Columbus was brought in to map the crime scene.

A handful of officers not involved in the investigation showed up at the scene, some in uniform and some in street clothes, somber and stone faced. Family of other officers showed up, patted a couple of officers on the back, shook their hands and hugged them.

A police chaplain met with the family at Massillon Community.

A red tent for officers was pitched in the yard of the Massillon Recreation Center, across the street from the crime scene.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: inthelineofduty; massillon
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1 posted on 08/10/2002 6:07:37 AM PDT by ResistorSister
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To: ResistorSister
Prayers for the officer and his family.
2 posted on 08/10/2002 6:14:23 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: ResistorSister
I just hate it when a policeman gets killed. There might be a couple of jerks out there, but most of the LEO's do their best to protect us. This policeman sure did his duty. May his rewards in Heaven be great, and may his family be comforted.
3 posted on 08/10/2002 7:04:50 AM PDT by JudyB1938
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To: ResistorSister
Heartfelt sympathy to his family.
And gratitude for his ultimate sacrifice to service.
4 posted on 08/10/2002 7:10:29 AM PDT by Publius6961
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To: mhking
bimp
5 posted on 08/10/2002 12:47:49 PM PDT by Khepera
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To: Khepera
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/731023/posts
6 posted on 08/10/2002 12:52:29 PM PDT by advocate10
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To: advocate10
What a senseless waste. There's absolutely no justification for it. Prayers to the officer and his family.
7 posted on 08/10/2002 12:55:01 PM PDT by July 4th
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To: ResistorSister

8 posted on 08/10/2002 12:56:05 PM PDT by Consort
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To: advocate10
James Pritchard was a FReeper.
9 posted on 08/10/2002 12:56:09 PM PDT by advocate10
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To: advocate10
The pulling of the other thread has got to be the most gutless thing I've seen on this forum.
10 posted on 08/10/2002 12:56:19 PM PDT by Friedrich Hayek
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To: ResistorSister
Okay, I've seen "Czech handgun" and "high-powered semi-automatic weapon." What's what?

Also, I wanna know what transpired at the original traffic stop. Is the operator of a vehicle only required to show an officer his license through the window? I believe that's the case in Maryland.

But it wouldn't be the first time that a citizen knew the law better than the average cop.

11 posted on 08/10/2002 12:57:21 PM PDT by PLMerite
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To: Friedrich Hayek
The pulling of the other thread has got to be the most gutless thing I've seen on this forum.

Ditto. My next contribution hangs in the balance with this thread.

12 posted on 08/10/2002 12:58:36 PM PDT by PLMerite
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To: Friedrich Hayek
Yep.


Stay safe; stay armed.


13 posted on 08/10/2002 12:58:44 PM PDT by Eaker
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To: Friedrich Hayek
I had not read all the posts. There were too many, and it was pulled before I could read them all. I don't know what set off the moderator.
14 posted on 08/10/2002 12:59:11 PM PDT by advocate10
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To: Friedrich Hayek
Since the last thead was deleted, I didn't get to read your response to my post. However, my post was not meant to justify the killing of a police officer. No one is more pro law enforcement than I.....
15 posted on 08/10/2002 12:59:40 PM PDT by Joe Hadenuf
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To: Friedrich Hayek
The pulling of the other thread has got to be the most gutless thing I've seen on this forum.

It still is Jim's guts though.

16 posted on 08/10/2002 12:59:51 PM PDT by lavaroise
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To: Friedrich Hayek
In case anyone didn't know, reportedly, since the lead story didn't give the suspect's name, the suspect was a FReeper. The thread posted about this was pulled. I'm sorry it was, because so many FReepers commented on it to state unequivocally that shooting a policeman over a routine traffic stop is plain wrong.
17 posted on 08/10/2002 1:00:04 PM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: Friedrich Hayek
The pulling of the other thread has got to be the most gutless thing I've seen on this forum.

Why? Because Jim doesn't want his forum bolluxed up with a thread which is semi-sympathetic toward a cop killer?

And I don't care if this "Freeper" pulled the trigger or not; his senseless actions caused the death of a police officer and father.

Nuts or drunk or death by cop is the only explanation.

18 posted on 08/10/2002 1:00:20 PM PDT by sinkspur
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To: Joe Hadenuf
I just thought it was weasely to drag the issue of illegal immigration into this discussion.
19 posted on 08/10/2002 1:01:36 PM PDT by Friedrich Hayek
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To: PLMerite
Also, I wanna know what transpired at the original traffic stop. Is the operator of a vehicle only required to show an officer his license through the window? I believe that's the case in Maryland.

But it wouldn't be the first time that a citizen knew the law better than the average cop.

Anything was but routine in this traffic stop, as to who got out the routine is unknown so far. What was said, who was shouting fire where there was no fire?

20 posted on 08/10/2002 1:01:45 PM PDT by lavaroise
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