Patrolman John Sears fell to his death from the Atlas Apartments on Long and High Street in Columbus.

While executing a search warrant for a murder suspect, he attempted to force entry into one of the rooms. He kicked the door open, and the top of the door sprang back at him, knocking him over the banister to the ground below.

The building was the same location where Patrolman Sears’ partner, Patrolman Edward Murphy, was shot and killed in the line of duty the previous year.

Patrolman Sears had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 14 years. He was survived by his wife, three children, his mother, and two brothers.