American Township Police Department, Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, March 10, 1962
Age: 54
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 10, 1962
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Constable Clarence Prince was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle in front of the Elida High School.
Based on imprints on the bullets in his service revolver, he had attempted to return fire, but the gun misfired four times. Two suspects, ages 21 and 22, were arrested in connection with Constable Prince's murder.
The suspects, who had very lengthy criminal records, were planning to rob a nearby bank. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. The other suspect was also convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life but had his sentence commuted to 12 years to life on November 19, 1974.
Constable Prince was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons. One of his sons served as the Elida town marshal at the time of his murder.