Mansfield Times

From January 19, 2023 post.

WARNING: This story contains a graphic, detailed description of the events that transpired on Saturday, January 14, 1995.

The shooting happened at approximately 3:00 a.m. on January 14, 1995. By the early morning hours of Monday, January 16, 1995, information coming in, began to paint the heartbreaking picture of the shooting death of Lt. John Gisclon, a 21-year veteran of the Ashland County Sheriff's Office. The shooter, Bobby Staton Jr., age 25, was dead, and Ohio Highway Patrol Trooper Lee Sredniawa was shot twice.

WHO WAS LT. JOHN PAUL GISCLON?

John Paul Gisclon was born on January 20th, 1948, in San Francisco California to Paul & Edna Gisclon. John grew up in New London, Ohio, and was a 1967 graduate of New London High School.

John was married to Renee Gisclon at the time of his death. He was the father of two daughters. 

John was a Veteran of the U.S. Army. He served during the Vietnam Conflict, from 1968 to 1971. He later served in the Ohio Military Reserve, attaining the rank of second lieutenant.

John was a 21-year veteran Law Enforcement Officer. He was a Huron County Sheriff's Deputy and a Patrolman with the Monroeville Police Department, prior to joining the Ashland County Sheriff's Department in 1973. He was promoted to lieutenant, in July of 1976.

During his years in law enforcement, he was certified in numerous training courses, including crime scene search and evidence, street drugs: recognition and identification, narcotics investigation, and crack houses.

John was also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association Lifesaving Award for two separate incidents in 1991, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol Lifesaving Award in 1992.

Lt. John Gisclon was the shift commander for the Ashland Sherriff’s Office for 2nd shift, 4p.m.-12p.m.

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE SHOOTING

A burglary call, at the Fin Feather Fur Outfitters sporting goods store around 2a.m., on State Route 250 East set things in motion, that would forever change the lives of John’s family, the law enforcement community, and the Ashland community.

SHOOTER:

Bobby Staton Jr., age 25, was a resident of Ashland, Ohio.

Bobby Staton Jr. had previously been hospitalized for alleged mental health problems and had previously made several threats against police officers.   

EVENTS OF THE MORNING OF JANUARY 14, 1995

According to Ashland County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) records, Ohio Highway Patrol (OHP) records, Press Releases and Ashland County Coroner records, the following events transpired in the early morning hours, of January 14, 1995.

Note:  Lt. John Gisclon was working overtime, this was one of his days off. 

Ashland County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a breaking and entering at the Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, located on US-250, east of I-71, that occurred at 2:00am. Captain Roger Martin, Lt. Ted Conley, and Deputy George Staley were on scene with Lt. John Gisclon, checking the area.

Trooper Lee Sredniawa, of the Ashland Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol was on station processing a DUI from a previous traffic stop.

The Ashland Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office had received reports of a subject that fit the description of a person involved in the burglary, walking along US-250, in the area of Bailey Lakes. The description came out as a W/M, (White Male) long hair, dressed in black.

Lt. Gisclon was dispatched to check on the subject. Leaving the Fin Feather Fur area, it didn’t take long for Lt. Gisclon to reach the Bailey Lakes area. Radio reports indicate that Lt. Gisclon drove up to the 250/60 split and found nothing, even making a radio call that he passed the post vehicle which was coming North on 250.

Lt. Gisclon’s duty weapon was an AMT Hardballer .45ACP (At that time, there was no standard issue, the officers bought their own duty weapon).

At approximately 3:02 a.m., Lt. Gisclon radioed that he was at Lee's Family Inn, on SR 250 North, in Bailey Lakes. Approximately 30 seconds later, John requested that Trooper Sredniawa meet him at that location. That was the last communication anyone had with Lt. Gisclon.

Throughout the investigation, it was determined that Lt. Gisclon spotted Bobby Staton and pulled his cruiser into the Southbound Lane of SR 250, but facing Northbound, and exited his cruiser. It is believed that Lt. Gisclon and Bobby Staton engaged in a physical struggle, and when Bobby Staton pulled a 9mm Stallard Arms Pistol, Lt. Gisclon is believed to have ducked while moving to the rear of his cruiser for cover. 

One of Bobby Staton’s shots hit Lt. Gisclon in the lower back, just under his beltline, and traveled up and exited out the front of his chest, and the other shot went through the front wall of Lee's Family Inn.

Note:  Lt. Gisclon was not wearing his vest; it was found in the trunk of his cruiser.

At 3:03:33a.m. Trooper Sredniawa advises that he is at the restaurant. According to an OHP report, Trooper Sredniawa stated that when he arrived, he observed Lt. Gisclon's cruiser parked in the Southbound Lane of SR 250, but the cruiser was facing Northbound. At that time, Trooper Sredniawa said that he did not see Lt. Gisclon, either in his cruiser, or in the immediate vicinity. 

Trooper Sredniawa immediately exited his own vehicle and began approaching Lt. Gisclon's cruiser. 

Trooper Sredniawa would later describe the horrifying details. The report stated, as Trooper Sredniawa approached the cruiser, a male subject later identified as Bobby Staton Jr. “popped up” from behind the rear of the Sheriff’s car, and began firing at Trooper Sredniawa, which turned into a violent physical confrontation.

Trooper Sredniawa drew his weapon and returned fire, as he sought cover between the two cruisers. 

Note:  Trooper Sredniawa’s service weapon was a Berreta 96D .40 caliber with 10 in the magazine, and 1 in the chamber.

Bobby Staton Jr. charged at him, screaming as he fired his weapon. 

Bobby Staton and Trooper Sredniawa continued to exchange gunfire, until Bobby Staton Jr. grabbed the Trooper by the jacket, and pushed him into a grassy area at the side of the road. Bobby Staton was fighting to kill, and Trooper Sredniawa was fighting for his life! 

The fighting had become so intense in those few seconds, that Trooper Sredniawa had Staton by the hair of the head with his left-hand, and his weapon in his right hand, just inches from Staton’s head. In a desperate attempt to stop the madness, Trooper Sredniawa fired two rounds into Bobby Staton Jr.’s head. As the last shot rang out, the bullet from the Berreta 96D .40 Caliber, shot through the webbing of Trooper Sredniawa’s left-hand, into Bobby’s head, ending Bobby’s attack.

Trooper Sredniawa then moved to the rear of the Sheriff’s cruiser, where he observed Lt. Gisclon for the first time. Lt. Gisclon was lying on the ground having suffered a gunshot wound. Trooper Sredniawa then crawled to the front of Lt. Gisclon’s Sheriff’s cruiser, to cover Bobby Staton. At that time, the trooper was not sure Bobby was dead.

Note:  Trooper Sredniawa had fired 10 rounds, striking Bobby Staton 8 times!

Original source can be found here.