Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Franklin,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

February 17, 2024

NEVER FORGET! Please help me honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Ben James Franklin of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 83 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 10, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Ben James Franklin of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 77 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 10, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Ben James Franklin of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 75 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

January 10, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Ben James Franklin of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 72 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation

January 10, 2020

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Ben James Franklin of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

January 10, 2019

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Ben James Franklin of the Akron Police Department, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

January 10, 2018

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

January 28, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 20th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 10, 2012

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

January 3, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 31, 2007

May Our Lord bless you and your loved ones.

January 10, 2007

NEVER to be forgotten and always honored for the supreme sacrifice you made.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEOs

January 10, 2007

Thank you for your service. You will always be remembered.

July 25, 2006

Patrolman Franklin,
May your family find some comfort in knowing that you are remembered for the true hero that you are. Thank you for the life you gave to help others. You now walk the streets of gold. God Bless

OHIO summit county
11-11-2005

November 10, 2005

Ben Franklin was affectionately known as "Gentle Ben". He had a big heart and he was tuff when he had to be. I was there at the school the night that he died and it was like a piece of me went with him. He is greatly missed.

Detective Joseph W. Smith
Akron Police Department

April 13, 2005

Rest in Peace, Brother. You served this country well and have earned a place serving God in Paradise. Watch over your family and keep them from harm. Remember us who will continue to carry the sword, as we will remember you.
Godspeed!

A Squad
Woodbridge CT PD

January 31, 2005

To those I Love and Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me, Let me go
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown,
But now it's time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart,

I won't be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll
Hear all of my love around you soft and clear

And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home"

January 8, 2005

Rest in peace. God bless you and your family.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 4, 2004

Gentle Ben thats what we called Ben. a bear of a man with a gentle demeanor.

One of the good guys. He is missed

Captain (ret)
Akron