Lieutenant John Paul Gisclon, age 47, was a dedicated officer with the Ashland County Sheriff's Office in Ohio. On the night of January 14, 1995, he was working overtime and responding to a breaking and entering case at a local gun shop. Around 3:00 a.m., he stopped a suspicious man walking along Route 250, suspecting him to be a second suspect in the burglary. Before approaching the man, Lieutenant Gisclon called for backup.
However, when the Ohio Highway Patrol Trooper arrived, he did not see Lieutenant Gisclon and was ambushed by the suspect, who shot him twice.
The trooper managed to return fire and, after a hand-to-hand fight, shot and killed the suspect. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Gisclon was found lying unconscious in the roadway and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. It was determined that his death was not connected to the earlier burglary, but the suspect had a history of mental illness.
The suspect, identified as Bobby Staton Jr., age 25, had previously been hospitalized for alleged mental health problems and had made threats against police officers. The incident was a tragic end to a long and distinguished career for Lieutenant Gisclon, who was a Vietnam veteran and had served with the Ashland County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, Renee, and two daughters.
The case did not lead to any further arrests or litigations, as the suspect was killed during the confrontation. The community and law enforcement agencies honored Lieutenant Gisclon's service and sacrifice, remembering him as a dedicated officer who gave his life in the line of duty.
