Lieutenant Allen E. Fraley

Allen E. Fraley

Lieutenant Allen Fraley was shot and killed while confronting a rape suspect.

When Lieutenant Fraley and his partner arrived at the apartment of the suspect, a woman opened the door and the officers identified themselves, asking if the suspect was there. The woman opened the door wide, stepped out of the way and the suspect shot Lieutenant Fraley in the abdomen. Lieutenant Fraley's partner, Officer Bankert, broke into the room but the suspect escaped by leaping out of the window.

Lieutenant Fraley was taken to University Hospital as a massive manhunt was organized; despite the efforts of the hospital staff and the many persons who responded to a call for blood donations, Lieutenant Fraley died at 11:50 p.m.

The suspect was captured in front of 82 Price Avenue.

The suspect plead an insanity defense, but was convicted and sentenced to death. After a round of appeals, the Ohio Supreme Court set an execution date of June 6, 1967. On or about June 2, 1967, the suspects execution was stayed for another appeal. At some point, the suspect's sentence was commuted to life in prison. The suspect continued to seek a new trial and parole for many years until he died in prison.

Lieutenant Fraley had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 14 years and had previously served with the United States Navy. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.