Patrolman Kenneth R. Fratus

Patrolman Kenneth R. Fratus | Warwick Police Department, Rhode Island
Warwick Police Department, Rhode Island
Patrolman Kenneth R. Fratus

Warwick Police Department, Rhode Island

End of Watch Friday, May 21, 1971

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Kenneth R. Fratus

Patrolman Kenneth Fratus was directing traffic at a water main installation project on Centerville Road in front of the Apponaug Elementary School when the driver of a 10 wheel dump truck backed up and ran over him.

He was pronounced dead at Kent County Hospital.

Patrolman Fratus was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

  • Age 27
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Struck by vehicle

directing traffic

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Its hard to forget that fateful day on Friday, May 21, 1971 when Ptlm. Fratus was tragically killed. My father, Ptlm. Norman R. Thatcher, Jr. was working the same special detail literally yards away from the young officer when he was struck by a dump truck backing up.

My mother was monitoring her police scanner at the time of the accident and broke down crying unsure if are Father was the victim of this horrible incident. Ptlm. Fratus who was in his early 20's left behind a wife and two small daughters.

Following this tragedy, laws were passed requiring similar construction vehicles to be equipped with backup warning devices.

David N. Thatcher
Son of Ptlm. Norman R. Thatcher, Jr.

January 5, 2022

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