Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer Tyron Donta Franklin

Paterson Police Department, New Jersey

End of Watch Sunday, January 7, 2007

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Reflections for Police Officer Tyron Donta Franklin

Remembering you on this Easter day

None

April 9, 2023

Rest in peace Officer Franklin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 8, 2022

Rest In Peace Brother Franklin. Prayers Still with You and Your Family.

Det Frank S
Paterson PD

March 2, 2021

This is very saddening. My most sincere condolences to the family and young child. Senseless, for a lack of better words. Such disrespectful sentence. His skin color prevented the life sentence that , that animal deserves. RIP brother. You are greatly missed.

Good Citizen
Good Citizen

February 3, 2021

Thirty seven years for murdering a police officer? That’s mind boggling, infuriating and sickening. Officer Franklin, rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

To Officer Bavennia Franklin Marks, please stay safe always and God Speed young lady.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

January 7, 2021

Badge Number Of Slain Paterson Police Officer Reassigned To Rookie -- His Sister

Posted on 12/17/2020 Daily Voice News

Local law enforcement history will be made Friday when Paterson Police Officer Bavennia Franklin Marks is assigned the badge number of her late brother, who was killed in the line of duty 13 years ago.

Among many friends, family members and colleagues expected at the City Hall ceremony is her father, Larry Franklin, who made history himself when he became the Paterson Fire Department’s first black captain in 1995.

Also there will be Franklin's husband, Englewood native Daniel Marks, who’s a youth minister at Canaan Baptist Church in the city’s notorious 4th Ward.

City Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale has seen a lot in his nearly 40 years in law enforcement, including 15 years with the NYPD, and nearly as many combined years with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Port Authority police and as Passaic County sheriff.

However, Speziale has “never heard of anything like” Bavennia’s decision to follow in her brother’s footsteps, which he said shows “what a special family” the Franklins of Westwood are.

Bavennia was a high school freshman when her brother, Tyron D. Franklin -- only 23 and the father of a 16-month-old son -- stopped for a late-night cheeseburger at Broadway Friend Chicken on Broadway.

The unarmed young officer – who’d joined the Silk City police department just eight months earlier -- was ordering food that Jan. 7, 2007 night when a robber armed with a handgun walked in and demanded money.

Franklin tried to subdue the robber, who shot him four times inside the restaurant and then once again outside before fleeing in a minivan.

Paterson police issued a sketch that generated more than 150 tips – including one that led directly to the capture of ex-con Teddy Charlemagne of Irvington 10 days after he gunned down Franklin in cold blood.

Like the slain officer, Charlemagne was also 23. He’d been on parole for drug and weapons convictions at the time.

He's been serving a 40-year sentence without parole for the murder of a law enforcement officer.

Bavennia Franklin, the granddaughter of a South Carolina tobacco farmer who became successful in real estate, is writing her own special story after being graduated with a major in criminal justice from FDU and joining the city department as a civilian records clerk four years ago.

Friday morning’s event will be Paterson first-ever badge reassignment ceremony, Mayor Andre Sayegh said.

Calling Franklin a “source of inspiration,” the mayor said he’ll be proud to present her with Badge #4637.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

December 18, 2020

Paterson New Jersey police officer getting same badge number as slain brother

Posted on December 17, 2020 NY POST

A rookie Paterson New Jersey police officer will reportedly make history Friday when she receives the badge number of her late brother — a cop from the same department who was murdered on the job in 2007.

Paterson Police Officer Bavennia Franklin will be assigned Badge #4637 in what the city’s mayor, Andre Sayegh, said will be the department’s first badge reassignment ceremony, the Pascack Valley Daily Voice reported.

Sayegh, who will give Franklin her new badge at a City Hall ceremony, told the news outlet the police officer is a “source of inspiration.”

Franklin’s late brother, Tyron Franklin, was fatally shot while trying to stop an armed robbery at a Paterson restaurant.

The gunman, Teddy Charlemagne, was out on parole when he killed Franklin inside Broadway Fried Chicken.

Charlemagne was sentenced to 40-years in prison for the murder.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

December 18, 2020

Thirty seven years for the cold blooded murder of a LEO is just mind boggling to me. Officer Franklin, rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 23, 2020

I am writing through Google translator. I saw the news that a Turk was the Chief of Police in Paterson. Then, while Paterson was looking at what kind of place he was looking on google maps, I saw your name on a sign and searched again on google. I read your news. I'm really sorry. I offer my respect and love to the police officer. Rest in peace. All heroes greetings to the people of Turkey.

Alper Seker

February 5, 2020

Missing you like crazy Ty. You were the Best little brother that God Blessed Me, Trice, & Quincy to have (big brother to Vena) . You truly were the glue and nothing is the same without you. I love and miss you too much little brother.......

God Bless You!!!

Tamara Seabrooks
Big Sister

November 11, 2019

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 22, 2018

Rest in peace my brother.

Lieutenant Ray Flores
NYPD

January 7, 2018

Rest in peace my brother...you are a hero, and New Jersey and all of us should always remember that.

N.Y.P.D. Lt. Ray Flores (Ret.)

January 7, 2017

Thinking of Officer Franklin this month of January. My ancestors originally when they came to America settled in the community of Paterson, New Jersey and in performing research on the community I learned of the tragic news of this hero's death. This hero made the ultimate sacrifice and he will never be forgotten. When I go to my parish tomorrow for Sunday Mass Officer Franklin will be in my thoughts and in my prayers. Also praying for Officer Franklin's brothers and sister officers on Paterson Department that they stay safe while they perform their duties.

Former Protective Security Officer (PSO) for Region 1 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service Police, Pete Harrington BostonMA

January 17, 2016

RIP

Detective Dennis Pothos
Fort Lee, NJ Police Department

January 7, 2016

Although we only met once and never got to work together, I do think about your sacrifice. You are not forgotten. RIP Brother!!

Mineo
Paterson PD

May 17, 2011

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your dedicated service to others.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

January 7, 2011

R.I.P. TY

YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

TOM CATERINO
FRIEND

January 7, 2011

What's up Wolfpac? 4 yrs and it still feels like yesterday our family lost a great son, nephew, cousin and father. It's not a day go by I'm not thinking about you. I'm always sharing thoughts with your mom about how I feel. A few months ago I had a visit from you in my dreams as if you wanted me to know you didn't forget about me. I can still hear your voice calling me money, money, money. Losing you has had a great effect on me and I still can't believe your not here. I now have a keepsake of everything that symbolizes our bond. Example, the micro machines we painted in South Carolina 1992,consider those antiques. I have no idea how I became interested in this particular field, but I'm now majoring in criminal justice and graduate this summer. Your the law and order guy, what did you possess within me? Whatever path I choose, I'll represent you to the greatest of my ability. You will never be forgotten.

Shaquan Brimley
God brother and cousin

January 7, 2011

As we come upon another year that you've been gone the incident still seems surreal. I'll never forget the first time we all met going through the process for the academy. My favorite memory of you was when you came in and smoked the mile and a half run in your air force ones and your long hair as if it were nothing to you. Not a day or year goes by that we don't think about. May your soul continue to rest in peace eternally with the father. We will always love our brother in blue...continue to watch over us all...

Anonymous

January 4, 2011

Rest in peace brother. Two years already. Man time flys by. You will not be forgotten.

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

January 7, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the second anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.


Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

January 7, 2010

What's up cousin? A lot has changed since you've been gone. I'm becoming a better man by the day. My heart goes out to you and your family. I love you lil' bra'.

Kasaun Cari Graves
Cousin

March 21, 2009

The wicked flee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends and family. May God bless and keep them.

To his son: I know that you are not old enough to read this, but when you are, I want you to know, your daddy is a hero, now and forever, he will never be forgotten. He loves you now and always.

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

March 6, 2009

Forgive me for missing the anniversary of your E.O.W., but I felt as though I could not continue to read about so many tragedies. I now realize the visit each day to leave a word of encouragement and hope to the loved ones of others, helps me to remember that I am not alone with my pain and heartbreak. So may I say to your friends and loved ones that my thoughts and prayers are with them now and always. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol and may they know you will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

February 19, 2009

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