Lieutenant Allen E. Fraley

Allen E. Fraley

Lieutenant Allen Fraley succumbed to a gunshot wound he received when he confronted a rape suspect at 84 West First Avenue in Columbus.

When Lieutenant Fraley and his partner arrived at the suspect's apartment, 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 broke into the room, but the suspect escaped by leaping from 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. on Friday.

The suspect was captured in front of 82 Price Avenue the next day. The suspect pleaded 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 suspect's execution was stayed for another appeal, and his 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 was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.