Retired Erie Bureau of Police Chief Steve Franklin, a 33-year police veteran who ran for Erie mayor in 2017, died Wednesday.
Franklin was 69.
Renee Lamis, Mayor Joe Schember’s chief of staff, said city officials learned Thursday that Franklin died after a brief illness.His exact cause of death was not immediately available.
Franklin — who was also well-known for being heavily involved in youth baseball in Erie for more than two decades — joined the Erie Bureau of Police in September 1980.
Steve Franklin:1952-2021
During his three decade-plus career, Franklin served as a patrol officer, crisis unit officer, patrol supervisor, detective and auto theft investigator before Mayor Joe Sinnott appointed him chief in April 2006. Sinnott, at the time, lauded Franklin for his diverse background and "wonderful knowledge of police work and community."
"He was a good cop. He was a good police chief and he was a good community guy as well," Sinnott said Friday, referencing Franklin's longtime commitment to Boys & Girls Baseball of Erie."To put it in baseball terminology, he had all the bases covered andit made him an effective and impacting person in this community."
Sinnott tapped Franklin to serve as police chief out of a field of seven candidates in 2006. He succeeded former Chief Charles Bowers.
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Franklin was a "quiet man" with an "understated" public persona,Sinnott said.
"He was a very good tactical police chief," the former mayor said. "He created the foundation for many of the things that we did to curb the street violence and the gun violence that we were faced with fairly early on in the administration. He worked very hard on those programs and strategies and deployments."
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Franklin was engaged in his work at City Hall and in the community. Sinnott recalled how Franklin would spend many evenings at the Mighty Fine Donuts, 2612 Parade St., having coffee with residents to get to know them and the challenges facing the community.
"You could find him there very often in the evenings, just having coffee, talking to people," Sinnott said. "That's the kind of guy he was. He was very much community-oriented."
Franklin was born in Spartansburg, South Carolina,to the late Cecil and Kathleen Franklin, according to his obituary. He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1970 and went on to obtain a degree in criminal justice. A U.S. Army veteran, Franklin's first job outside of the military was at General Electric.
His career in policing began in 1980 and ended with his retirement from the Erie Bureau of Police in August 2013. He'dspent the previous seven and a half years of his career as the chief.
"I couldn't have been blessed with better parents," son Bryan Franklin said. "He was always looking out for me and my brother."
But Steve Franklin was also looking out for others, Bryan said, noting the immense role his father played in Boys & Girls Baseball of Erie.Franklin served as a league commissioner for 33 years and as the organization’s president from 2003 until the league ceased operations in 2020.
Bryan Franklin recalled the lengths his father would go to for the kids for the annual banquet. He would fill the stage with prizes and he made sure every participant left with something.
"He was a mentor to more than just me and my brother," said Bryan, who played and later umpired and coached for Boys & Girls Baseball. "It really speaks to his character."
Bryan Franklin said the family does not yet know the exact cause of death of his father.
Schember said that during his time as an Erie city councilman —Schember served on the seven-member panel from 2006 until 2012 —he got to know Franklin well. He said he was "shocked and saddened" of the news of Franklin's death.
“Steve was a good man who not only led our police department, but also worked with kids … My deepest condolences to all of Chief Franklin’s family and friends," Schember said.
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Franklin and Schember wereamong seven Democrats to run for Erie mayor in 2017, with Schember emerging the victor of both the primary and general election contests.
The police bureau’s current chief, Dan Spizarny, lauded Franklin’s tenure with Boys & Girls Baseball of Erie as well as his police work.
“Steve’s years of working with (Boys & Girls Baseball) and his years on the job, particularly working in the crisis car, showed his love of helping others,” Spizarny said. “He will be remembered.”
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Franklin is survived by his wife of 47 years, Linda; their two sons, Jason Franklin and Bryan Franklin and his wifeMelissa; a brother, Larry Franklin;two grandchildren, Dakota and Cameron Franklin; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., at which time closing thoughts will be shared, at Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2607 Buffalo Road. The Erie Police Retired Association will hold a memorial reading at 3 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Franklin's family through the funeral home.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNflowers.
Contact Matthew Rink at mrink@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNrink.
