Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Warden Robert Fromhold and Warden Patrick Curran were stabbed to death by two members of a religious group that was upset with prison restrictions at Holmesburg Prison. The two had planned in detail the murder of Deputy Warden Fromhold for his refusal to grant more meeting time to the group in the prison gym. The suspects created a fake pass which they gave to a rookie guard who was filling in for a regular guard at the prison. The pass indicated they were allowed to see Deputy Warden Fromhold. When they entered his office the two closed the door and attacked him as he sat at his desk, stabbing him several times. Warden Curran and another officer heard the commotion from across the hall and went to assist Deputy Warden Fromhold. Warden Curran was stabbed in the back by one of the inmates in the rescue attempt. Deputy Warden Fromhold succumbed to his wounds at the scene and Warden Curran succumbed to his wounds en route to a local hospital. One of the two suspects was in prison for the murder of Philadelphia Police Officer Joseph Kelly on February 21, 1971. The other suspect was in prison for the murder of Frank R. Von Colln of the Fairmount Park Police on August 29, 1970. After the murders of Deputy Warden Fromhold and Warden Curran both suspects were sentenced to life in prison. As of June 20, 2020, they were in prison. In 1995 a new prison facility was named the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in honor of Warden Curran and Deputy Warden Fromhold.
Survivors
Deputy Warden Fromhold was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Warden Fromhold served with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Warden Fromhold.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr. served in the U.S. Navy (1942â1950) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Warden Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 47.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Philadelphia Department of Prisons, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr. was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
Military Service
Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr. served in the U.S. Navy (1942–1950) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Frederick Fromhold Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Philadelphia Department of Prisons are honored on badge.nw.
