Patrolman Paul Joseph Durkin, 34, of the Youngstown Police Department, was shot and killed on September 22, 1987, after stopping a man on suspicion of petty theft. Stolen items, including a car stereo, speakers, and clothes, were found next to Durkin’s cruiser.

The suspect, identified as William T. Dawson, Jr., was apprehended the same day, later convicted of Durkin’s murder and sentenced to 15 years to life. Dawson’s conviction was upheld on appeal; motions for a new trial and to exhume Durkin’s body for a self-defense theory were denied. Durkin had served 12 years with the department and had been named the 1983 officer of the year. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Are there details about the stop, the recovery of the stolen property, or witnesses that anyone can add to help complete the timeline?