United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition, U.S. Government
End of Watch Sunday, October 28, 1928
Add to My HeroesFrancis Joseph Sears
Storekeeper-Gauger Francis Sears was killed in a massive explosion at the Publickers Alcohol Plant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The plant took up the entire block bounded by Water Street, Snyder Avenue, and McKean Street, and Swanson Street.
A mechanic was working on a cistern when a spark caused a massive explosion, destroying the entire plant. The mechanic and Storekeeper Sears were both killed, and several other people were injured.
Storekeeper Sears was a U.S. Navy WW I veteran and U.S. Navy Reserves veteran who served as a policeman at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and served with the United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Explosion
- Location Pennsylvania
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsGrandfather,
Thank you for your service.
We appreciate all you did for us in this life and the life to come.
Thank you for our father, Harry.
Florence Sears really loved you all her life.
Dan, Pat, Tim Sears
Grandsons
September 13, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Sergeant Cory Maynard
West Virginia State Police, WV
EOW: June 2, 2023

Corporal Shawn Kelly
Denham Springs Police Department, LA
EOW: June 2, 2023

Corrections Deputy Marcus Zeigler
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2023

Police Officer Horren Randy Tyler
Madison Police Department, MS
EOW: June 1, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023