It is with heavy hearts and deeply felt condolences that we share that Oberlin Patrol Officer Billie Neadham has passed away on the morning of May 9, 2025 at his home in Lorain. Officer Neadham has been a dedicated member of the Oberlin Police Department for over 18 years, beginning as an Auxiliary Patrol Officer in 2007, becoming a Part-Time Patrol Officer in 2008, and then a Full-Time Patrol Officer in 2009.
Officer Neadham also served as the School Resource Officer in the Oberlin City Schools and lead the Police Explorers Program since 2010. Additionally, Officer Neadham organized many community programs like Oberlin Safety Town and the Shop with a Cop program. With Officer Neadham’s long-standing relationship with the Oberlin Schools, the Oberlin School district has arranged for grief counseling for students and staff.
Information about services for Officer Neadham can be found below. The City of Oberlin joins the Oberlin Police Department and the Oberlin community in mourning this incredible loss and we send our deepest sympathies to Officer Neadham’s family and all those who knew him.
Funeral Services:
Services for Patrol Officer Billie Neadham will include a viewing on Friday, May 16 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at the Brown-Robinson Funeral Home (1814 Milan Road – Sandusky, OH). The final viewing will be held at Finney Chapel (90 North Professor Street – Oberlin, OH) on Saturday, May 17 from 9:00am-11:00am, with the funeral service immediately following at 11:00am. After the funeral service, a procession of Police cruisers and other vehicles will escort Officer Neadham to Perkins Cemetery (A.K.A. "Old Perkins Cemetery" - 5922 Milan Road – Sandusky, OH) for burial.
Please view the drop-downs below for important information regarding the day of the funeral:
A large influx of visitors to town is expected on Saturday, including representatives from other law enforcement agencies, current and former colleagues, family and friends, in addition to members of the local community. As such, traffic and parking may be challenging at times. Click HERE for a map identifying available parking lots near Finney Chapel. The map also includes incoming and outgoing procession routes and times. It is advised to avoid driving in these areas during the processions. Also, please note that Professor Street between Hamilton Street and Union Street will be closed Saturday morning beginning at 7:30am to allow for staging of those vehicles in the procession. If it is necessary to leave or return to residences in these areas, we recommend parking on any available cross streets prior to the street closure until such time that the outgoing procession has ended.
Additionally, the eastbound lane on West College Street, between Pyle Road and Professor Street, as well as the southbound lane of North Professor Street between Union Street and the northern city limits will be closed. The northbound lane of North Professor Street between Union Street and the northern city limits will remain open.
We apologize for any inconvenience to the affected neighborhoods and thank you for your understanding.
Those wishing to pay their respects to Officer Neadham, but may not wish to attend the funeral services are encouraged to gather at Tappan Square close to Finney Chapel and along West Lorain Street, or at Langston Middle School for the outgoing procession. This should take place around 12:00pm on Saturday. This is particularly encouraged for any children that are affected by Officer Neadham’s passing, but may find it too difficult to attend the services.
Gathering locations can be seen on the map available HERE.
To allow for all members of the Oberlin Police Department to attend services for Officer Neadham, the City will be utilizing mutual aid from other local agencies for law enforcement, traffic control and dispatch services from 7:00am Saturday to 7:00am Sunday. For emergencies, please dial 9-1-1. During this time, emergency calls will be received by Lorain County 9-1-1 and dispatched to the appropriate responders. Non-emergency calls may be directed to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department at 440-323-1212.
Other non-emergency procedures normally processed by Oberlin Police Dispatch will be handled in the following manner from 7:00am Saturday, May 17 to 7:00am Sunday, May 18:
- Bonds & Fines: Bonds and fines may be paid at the Amherst Police Department at 911 North Lake Street in Amherst, OH.
- Utility Payments and Parking Fines: No utility payments or parking fines will be accepted during this time.
- Power Outages or Other Utility Concerns: Power outages and other utility concerns may be reported to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department at 440-323-1212.
As a show of respect to Officer Neadham and to allow for City employees to attend the services if they choose, all City-sponsored events that were scheduled for Saturday are either canceled or postponed. This includes the Public Works Open House, Keep Oberlin Beautiful Day activities, and the food waste composting program giveaway. Stay tuned for more details on any rescheduled events.
Sporting events taking place prior to 2:00pm at the Recreation Complex have also been canceled.
The Farmers' Market will take place on Saturday, but if attending, please be mindful of Police Department staff's need for easy access to the Police Department and department parking areas.
