All three men are member of the Industry Fire Department.
By Donna M. Perry
Staff Writer

INDUSTRY – Three men from Industry were recognized by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association for their acts of bravery as citizens.

William Frost, Anthony Howard and Joe Paradis received commendations from the association during a conference Friday.

The chiefs gave out nine awards this year, with five of them going to citizens and three of those were people from Franklin County, said Farmington police Chief Richard Caton III.

The three men, all members of the Industry Fire Department, were traveling together when they spotted Joshua Osborne of Farmington. Osborne, who was wanted for shooting his mother on July 7, was walking along Route 148 at 6:30 p.m. that night.

A manhunt had been launched during the day to search for Osborne who had fled on foot into the rural area of Farmington and Industry after the shooting.

The commendation letter states in part:

“Being fully aware that Osborne was wanted by the police and with complete disregard for your own safety,” Frost “stopped the vehicle and asked Osborne if he wanted a ride.”

Osborne told the men that he was going to his uncle’s house and accepted the ride.

When the men reached the Industry Fire Department, Frost pulled into the driveway.

At that time, Osborne was told the police were looking for him and that he needed to turn himself in to authorities.

“Osborne pleaded to be let go stating that he just wanted to go to his cousin’s house and kill himself,” the commendation letter states.

Subsequently, Osborne was held until police arrived and took him into custody.

The actions by Frost, Howard and Paradis “prevented Osborne from doing harm to himself or anyone else thus ending a manhunt that could have extended into darkness and become much more dangerous for all involved,” the letter stated.

“The citizens of Maine and members of the law enforcement profession are extremely proud of citizens such as you,” wrote Dixfield Chief Richard Pickett, chairman of the Awards Committee. “Our thanks for a job well done.”

Frost’s wife, Bobbi-Jo Frost, said she and the other wives also were proud of their husbands.

“We were excited to go and see them get the award,” she said.

“I thought he was a little crazy for doing it in the first place,” Bobbi-Jo Frost said of her husband’s actions, “but I’m pretty proud.”

Osborne had been spotted walking, and the three men decided to go look for him and try to get him to turn himself in, she said.

Her husband is always willing to help people, she said, just as the other firefighters are.

The other firefighters and wives were not available for comment Wednesday.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link