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Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection

Special Collections and Archives

Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection

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Special Collections and Archives

Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection

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  • Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
  • Title: Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection
  • Inclusive Date(s): undated
  • Author: Finding aid prepared by Craig Simpson
  • Creation: Finding aid encoded by Craig Simpson using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2008
  • Origination: Akron Beacon Journal
  • Extent: 4 cubic feet
  • Physical Location: 10th floor (May 4 Collection, Boxes 208-211)
  • Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0082
  • Abstract: The Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection contain materials from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports on the Kent State shootings. These materials were requested from the U.S. Department of Justice by Beacon Journal staff.
  • Revision(s):
  • September 2023 - Reprocessed and updated by Liz Campion
  • Language(s): The records are in English

History of the Akron Beacon Journal

Founded in 1839, the Akron Beacon Journal is a four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that serves readers in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne counties. As of July 2023, the Beacon Journal is owned by GateHouse Media. The Beacon Journal earned national recognition and its first Pulitzer for coverage of the Kent State shootings in 1970, which was coordinated by editor Pat Englehart.

Scope and Content

This collection is comprised of reports from the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation on the Kent State shootings and surrounding events. The Ohio State Highway Patrol records include inter-office correspondence, autopsy reports of the victims, and notes pertaining to the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation records include various reports from agents assigned to investigating the shootings. The FBI records comprise an earlier draft of the final copy of the report. While the original FBI and State Highway Patrol documents were produced from 1969-1983, the copies obtained and annotated by the Beacon Journal in this collection most likely date from after 1980.

Statement of Arrangement

The Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection is divided into two series:
  • Series 1: Ohio State Highway Patrol records
  • Series 2: Federal Bureau of Investigation records


Related Material

The FBI report is available online. Additionally, the Ohio State Highway Patrol's investigation is available to access at Ohio History Connection or selections have been made available to view online.

Processing Information

This collection originally contained sticky notes with handwritten research notes by Akron Beacon Journal staff members. Due to preservation, we have removed the original sticky notes and have created copies in their place. When applicable, copies of the sticky notes are located at the front of each folder and contain the page number in which the original sticky note was located.

Restrictions on Use

Information included in this collection is restricted due to the presence of information protected by privacy laws. This collection was originally retained for Akron Beacon Journal research.

Preferred Citation

Akron Beacon Journal Kent State Shootings collection. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were received by the Akron Beacon Journal from the U.S. Department of Justice in response to Freedom of Information Act requests. The collection was transferred to Kent State University by the Akron Beacon Journal in 2008.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

  • Subjects:
  • Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970
  • Kent State University--History
  • Kent (Ohio)--History
  • Organizations/Corporations:
  • Akron beacon journal (Akron, Ohio: 1903)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (U.S.)
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol
  • Functions:
  • Criminal investigation
  • Law enforcement
  • Autopsy
  • Places:
  • Kent (Ohio)
  • Occupations:
  • Journalists
  • Detectives
  • Traffic police
  • Material Types:
  • Photocopies


Detailed Description of The Collection

Series 1: Ohio State Highway Patrol Report records, 1969-1983, bulk 1970
  • Box 208 / Folder 1
  • Index of Names to Case Files, undated
  • Box 208 / Folder 2
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Report with Index, May 12-June 19, 1970
  • Box 208 / Folder 3
  • Correspondence Pertaining to the Investigation, 1969-1983
  • Box 208 / Folder 4
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Report, Book "B", May 1-9, 1970
  • Box 208 / Folder 5
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Report, Book "C", May 20-26, 1970
  • Box 208 / Folder 6
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Report, Book "D", May 25-June 1, 1970
  • Box 208 / Folder 7
  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Report, Book "E", June 2-15, 1970

Series 2: Federal Bureau of Investigation Report records, 1970-1975
  • Box 209 / Folder 1
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 1, May 5-12, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 2
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 2, May 7-11, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 3
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 3, May 7-10, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 4
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 4, May 9-11, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 5
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 5, May 6-10, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 6
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 6, May 8-10, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 7
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 7, May 8-15, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 8
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 8, May 2-16, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 9
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 9, May 12-15, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 10
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 10, May 8-16, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 11
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 11, May 10-15, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 12
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 12, May 7-15, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 13
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 13, May 11-17, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 14
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 14, May 11-16, 1970
  • Box 209 / Folder 15
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 15, May 13-15, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 1
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 16, May 8-16, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 2
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 17, May 11-19, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 3
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 18, May 12-22, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 4
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 19, May 10-16, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 5
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 20, May 15-22, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 6
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 21, May 15-22, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 7
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 22, May 13-22, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 8
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 23, May 5-28, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 9
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 24, May 5-26, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 10
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 25, May 19-23, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 11
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 26, May 11-22, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 12
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 27, May 24-June 1, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 13
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 28, May 21-June 1, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 14
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 29, May 26-June 5, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 15
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 30, June 16-July 17, 1970
  • Box 210 / Folder 16
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 31, May 19-June 1, 1970
  • Box 211 / Folder 1
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 32, June 24-August 6, 1970
  • Box 211 / Folder 2
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 33, June 26-July 29
  • Box 211 / Folder 3
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 34, June 30-July 29, 1970
  • Box 211 / Folder 4
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 35, July 24-October 8, 1970
  • Box 211 / Folder 5
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 36, October 20-November 13, 1970
  • Box 211 / Folder 6
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 37, November 18, 1970-June 18, 1973
  • Box 211 / Folder 7
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 38, February 13-November 26, 1973
  • Box 211 / Folder 8
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 39, November 9-13, 1973
  • Box 211 / Folder 9
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 40, November 15-23, 1973
  • Box 211 / Folder 10
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 41, September 21, 1970-December 19, 1973
  • Box 211 / Folder 11
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 42, January 17, 1974-April 30, 1974
  • Box 211 / Folder 12
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 43, May 3-September 4, 1974
  • Box 211 / Folder 13
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 44, September 4-October 11, 1974
  • Box 211 / Folder 14
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 45, October 18, 1974-March 27, 1975
  • Box 211 / Folder 15
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Report, Section 46, March 26-June 18, 1975
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