Age:  64
Served: 27 years
1913 To January 17, 1939

About 5 a.m. on the morning of January 13, 1939, John Frazee (19), Arthur Meyers (19) of Hamilton, Hiram York (18) of Hamilton, and a 16-year-old New Miami boy broke into the Spradling Café on U.S. Route 127 with purpose to loot a slot machine.  Marshal Simpson, of 250 Augspurger Road, and Deputy Marshal Andrew Cain (45) found the burglary in progress.  Marshal Simpson entered the front door and Deputy Marshal Cain went toward the rear.  Frazee immediately shot at Marshal Simpson striking him twice, including once in the chest.  Marshal Simpson returned four shots that missed.  The burglars fled out the back door and Deputy Marshal Cain shot at them and also missed. 

Marshal Simpson was transported to Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, Ohio.  He died four days later at 6 a.m. on January 17, 1939. 

The four perpetrators were found and arrested on January 18, 1939.  Police identified Frazee as the triggerman and all four were charged with 1st Degree Murder. 

On January 19, 1939, Marshal Simpson was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.  He was survived by seven daughters, three sisters, two brothers, and ten grandchildren. His wife, Myrtle, and only son, Louis, preceded him in death.  He had been constable of St. Clair Township and either deputy marshal or marshal of New Miami since 1913. He also had been mayor of New Miami.

Frazee was convicted of 1st Degree Murder and sentenced to life, but paroled after twenty years on April 21, 1960.  Meyers and York pleaded guilty to 1st Degree Murder, were sentenced to life, and were paroled in fourteen years during 1954. The juvenile served five years at the Ohio Boy's Industrial School.

If you have further information, artifacts, or pictures of this officer, please contact the Museum Director at Director@GCPHS.com.