Lieutenant Sears was shot and killed after he and two special officers, Peter Megelkamp and George Stowell, responded to a disturbance call at 1433 Papin Street. When they arrived Lieutenant Sears remained in the patrol car complaining of feeling ill as the two officers went inside where they found other officers investigating a disturbance. After hearing shots fired the officers ran out of the house and observed a man, William Lashley, crouching 75 feet away and apprehended him. They also located Lieutenant Sears in the vehicle, dead, with six gunshot wounds, two in the left breast, two in the abdomen, one in the right arm and one in the right thigh. The suspect stated he shot Lieutenant Sears when he ordered the man to stop. The suspect was sentenced to be hanged.

Lieutenant Sears had been with the agency for 34 years, joining the department in March 18, 1890, promoted to sergeant in 1905 and to lieutenant in 1923. He was survived by his wife, Rose, and son, Charles. Considered the best shot on the police department Lieutenant Sears owned on of the finest gun co0llections in the nation. In 1904 he won the worlds record for revolver shooting with a Smith and Wesson .44 caliber revolver. Interred: Valhalla Cemetery.