Chief of Police Franklin Pierce Culp

Chief of Police Franklin Pierce Culp

Fostoria Police Department, Ohio

End of Watch Sunday, April 23, 1950

Add to My Heroes

Franklin Pierce Culp

Chief of Police Frank Culp succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on May 3, 1934, when he and another officer responded to a bank robbery call at the First National Bank at the intersection of Main Street and Tiffin Street. The bank was being robbed by members of the Dillinger Gang.

As the officers attempted to take cover behind an elevator, one of the suspects opened fire with a machine gun, striking Chief Culp in the chest. The suspects took several hostages, completed the bank robbery, and then fled the scene.

Chief Culp was a United States Army Spanish American War veteran who served with the and had served with the Fostoria Police Department for at least 34 years, including seven years as the Chief of Police. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.


Led by John Dillinger, the Dillinger Gang was a notorious group of Midwest bank robbers. Associates of the gang were responsible for the fatal shootings of 13 law enforcement officers in 1933 and 1934.

Two infamous members of the gang, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, were shot and killed by law enforcement officers in separate incidents.

The other gang members were either murdered by criminals, shot and killed by law enforcement officers, executed for their crimes, or sentenced to time in prison.

Bio

  • Age 84
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Thursday, May 3, 1934
  • Weapon Rifle; Machine gun
  • Offender The Dillinger Gang

robbery

Most Recent Reflection

View all 13 Reflections

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Chief of Police Franklin Pierce Culp of the Fostoria Police Department, Ohio and the additional 64 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 23, 2023

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.