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Sergeant Frank R. Von Colln | Fairmount Park Police Department, Pennsylvania Fairmount Park Police Department, Pennsylvania

Sergeant

Frank R. Von Colln

Fairmount Park Police Department, Pennsylvania

End of Watch: Saturday, August 29, 1970

Bio & Incident Details

Age: 43

Tour: Not available

Badge # Not available

Cause: Gunfire

Incident Date: 8/29/1970

Weapon: Handgun

Suspect: Sentenced to life

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Sergeant Frank Von Colln was assassinated while talking on the phone in the Cobbs Creek guard house at 63rd and Catherine Streets.

He was shot five times and killed by a members of a radical racist group known as the Revolutionaries. Sergeant Von Colln had just dispatched two of his officers to investigate the wounding of another officer who had been shot by members of the same group. The assassins targeted the Cobbs Creek guard house because of its remote location. Two other officers were shot and wounded within the same 24-hour period.

Five suspects were eventually apprehended. All five were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. As of December 31, 2011, all five were still in prison. In 1996 a sixth suspect was apprehended in Chicago, Illinois, and charged with Sergeant Von Collin's murder. He was acquitted in 1999.

Sergeant Von Collin had a son and a daughter who became police officers.

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I attended the plaque dedication ceremony at the park guard house where you were assassinated. Lynn Abrams the Philadelphia District Attorney spoke of the week you and the four other officers were shot. I remember it well as I was working the street when it all happened. Back in those days in Philadelphia we really were at war. People were ambushing us, throwing Molotov cocktails at us, and assaulting us. That night, that week, that time in our nation’s history was hell for cops. I know you are eternally on patrol with our fellow brothers of the thin blue line who have all given their all to protect and serve. On March 25, 2005 you were joined by my son-in-law Officer Jesse E. Sollman from Easton, Pa. Jesse probably asked you upon meeting if you knew his Dad? We really miss Jesse, and I know from seeing your family at the ceremony that they still miss you. So I am honored that you and Jesse are in the company of the members of our thin blue line who have all gathered together with our God to await our arrival at what I am sure is the safest place to be. It must be safe there because it’s guarded by men like you and our Jesse.

Rest in peace Sarg.

Deputy Sheriff Charles Hentz
Northampton County Sheriffs Department
July 13, 2008

 

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