CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) – Mayor William Sherer, II released a statement Sunday after two township 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 “relieved” by a grand jury’s decision to indict the two county police officers involved in his death in April.

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

Stark County Prosecutor Kyle L. Stone announced the arrests of the two officers at a news conference Saturday.

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

Canton Officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch were charged with reckless homicide, according to the Stark County Jail website.

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

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

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

In April, Frank Tyson went to 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.

Inside the club, Tyson fought with police.

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

A Canton police officer then had his knee on his back.

Tyson was transported 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 cocaine and alcohol intoxication and cardiopulmonary arrest.

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