Police Officer Ben James Franklin

Ben James Franklin

Police Officer Ben Franklin died after suffering a heart attack while breaking up a fight at a basketball game at Buchtel High School in Akron.

Officer Franklin was working as security when a fight broke out between a subject who had returned to her high school and started a fight with another female. Officer Franklin was arresting the subject, who was resisting when he collapsed.

The subject was initially charged with manslaughter but the charge was dismissed. She was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 18 months but the judge suspended the sentence to four months.

Officer Franklin was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Akron Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.