Canton mayor issues statement after two officers involved in Frank Tyson's death are charged

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) – Mayor William Sherer, II issued a statement Sunday after two Canton officers were charged in connection with the death of Frank Tyson while in police custody.

On Saturday, the attorney representing Frank Tyson’s family said his loved ones felt “relief” at a grand jury’s decision to indict the two Canton police officers involved in his April death.

Frank Tyson, 53, died in police custody on April 18 after fleeing a traffic accident in Canton.

Stark County Prosecutor Kyle L. Stone announced the arrests of the two police officers during a press conference on Saturday.

“No one is above the law, and no one is so far below it that they don’t deserve its protection,” Prosecutor Stone said.

According to the Stark County Jail website, District Attorneys Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch were charged with reckless homicide.

If convicted, the suspects could face up to 36 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, and the loss of their jobs on the misdemeanor charge.

Beau Schönegge / Camden Burch(Stark County Jail)

Schoenegge and Burch were booked into the Stark County Jail on Friday.

In a press release, Tyson’s family’s attorney shared their reaction to the decision to charge Schoenegge and Burch.

In April, Frank Tyson came across a nearby AMVETS club in the 1700 block of Sherrick Road SE and asked someone to call the sheriff. Instead, Canton police were called.

Inside the club, Tyson struggled with the police.

After being taken to the ground and handcuffed and lying on his stomach, Tyson told officers he couldn’t breathe. According to his family, on police body camera footage, Tyson can be heard telling officers at least seven times a minute that he can’t breathe.

A Canton police officer had his knee on his back at the time.

Tyson was taken to a local hospital where he died, still handcuffed.

The Stark County Coroner’s Office ruled Tyson’s death a homicide with contributing causes including acute intoxication from cocaine and alcohol and cardiac arrest.