Canton's mayor issues statement after two officers involved in Frank Tyson's death were 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 in police custody.

On Saturday, an attorney for Frank Tyson's family said his loved ones were “relieved” by a grand jury's decision to indict the two Canton police officers involved in his death in April.

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 officers during a news conference Saturday.

“No one is above the law and no one is so below the law that they do not deserve its protection,” said District Attorney Stone.

According to the Stark County Jail website, Canton officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch were charged with involuntary manslaughter.

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

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

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

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

At the club, Tyson had to fight 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 the police body camera telling officers that he can't breathe at least seven times in a minute.

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

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

The Stark County Coroner's Office classified Tyson's death as a homicide, with causes including acute cocaine and alcohol intoxication and cardiopulmonary arrest.

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