Sheriff Frank B. Roach

Sheriff Frank B. Roach

Laramie County Sheriff's Office, Wyoming

End of Watch Monday, May 1, 1916

Add to My Heroes

Frank B. Roach

Sheriff Frank Roach was shot and killed as he and several other officers attempted to arrest horse thieves near Granite Canyon, Wyoming.

Sheriff Roach formed a posse, which included a local rancher, and followed the trail of two men who had just stolen three horses from the rancher. A gunfight resulted when they caught up with the suspects. The Sheriff and the rancher were shot and killed.

The suspects were arrested just over the Colorado state line with Sheriff Roach's rifle and the rancher's revolver in their possession.

The suspects, 21 and 27, confessed to shooting both men. One was sentenced to hang for killing Sheriff Roach; the death sentence was later commuted to life in prison. The other suspect was sentenced to life in prison for killing the rancher. Both went to the Colorado Penitentiary. The 27-year-old was paroled in 1953 and the other in 1960.

Sheriff Roach had served with the agency for six years and was survived by his wife and child.

Bio

  • Age 42
  • Tour 6 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Sentenced to life

Most Recent Reflection

View all 7 Reflections

Rest well fellow Lawman and Delawarean...you are not forgotten.

Sgt. Albert J. Wysock
Cheswold PD & (New Castle County retired)

April 30, 2021

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.