On May 26, 1922 at about 11:45 pm, Officer Stapleton was shot and killed after he and his partner, Officer Michael Leary, responded to a prowler call at 1421 Papin Street reported by the resident. As the officers searched the second floor residence Officer Stapleton looked outside and observed a man, Joseph Kyle, crouching between two sheds. Officer Stapleton fired a shot at the suspect who fled. As the officers chased him Officer Stapleton fired again, at which time Kyle returned fire, fatally striking Officer Stapleton in the chest. The man was apprehended and confessed. He claimed he was checking the residence of his common-law wife believing she was cheating on him and thought that it was a rival shooting at him, not police officers. He was acquitted of the charges.

Officer Stapleton had been with the agency for 18 years, joining on March 1, 1904. He was survived by his wife, Josephine, and 14-year-old daughter. His wife was appointed as a female detective after his death. Interred: Calvary Cemetery.