Long Beach Police Department, California
End of Watch: Saturday, December 13, 1975
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 13, 1975
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Never identified
Police Officer Franke Lewis was shot and killed when he went to investigate suspicious activity near his home after returning home from duty.
A citizen had parked his car on the street and gone to sleep in it to avoid driving on the freeway while drowsy. A subject who was attempting to break into the car attacked the citizen. Officer Lewis, who was just arriving home following his shift, heard the commotion and went to investigate. As he approached the car the subject opened fire, killing him.
The man fled the scene and has never been identified. A $75,000 reward has been offered in conjunction with the release of a sketch and vehicle description.
Officer Lewis' wife was also home at the time and heard the shot that killed her husband.
Officer Lewis is survived by his wife and two children.