Canton mayor releases statement following indictment of two officers involved in Frank Tyson’s death

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) – Mayor William Sherer II released a statement Sunday following the indictment of two Canton officers in connection with the death of Frank Tyson in police custody.

On Saturday, a lawyer representing Frank Tyson’s family said his loved ones were “relieved” by a grand jury’s decision to indict 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 two police officers Saturday during a news conference.

“No one is above the law and no one is so below it that he does not deserve its protection,” said U.S. Attorney Stone.

Canton officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch have been charged with reckless homicide, according to a website that lists Stark County inmates.

If convicted, the suspects face up to 36 months in prison, a $10,000 fine and loss of job.

Beau Schoenegge/Camden Burch(Stark County Jail)

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

In a press release, an attorney for Tyson’s family shared his reaction to the decision to indict Schoenegge and Burch.

In April, Frank Tyson stopped by the nearby AMVETS Club at 1700 Sherrick Road SE and asked someone to call the sheriff. Instead, Cantonese police were called.

At the club, Tyson fought with the police.

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

The Canton police officer then had a knee on his back.

Tyson was taken to a local hospital, where he died in handcuffs.

The Stark County Coroner’s Office ruled Tyson’s death a homicide due to acute cocaine and alcohol intoxication and cardiopulmonary arrest.