Roll of Honor
Frank Charles Fritze
Incident
Location: Colorado Weapon: Edged weapon; Knife Offender: Sentenced to life
Staff Sergeant Frank Fritze was stabbed to death by a soldier in front of a nightclub in the neighborhood of Bessemer in Pueblo, Colorado, shortly after midnight.
A soldier was under the influence of alcohol, violating the military liquor laws, when Staff Sergeant Fritze removed him from the club to arrest the soldier. As he attempted to place him in custody, the soldier fought Staff Sergeant Fritze and stabbed him.
Staff Sergeant Fritze is buried at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Jersey.
The suspect was arrested and transferred to the Pueblo Air Base to stand trial. During the military trial, the suspect pleaded not guilty to violating the 92nd article of war and testified that he was under the influence of alcohol when he stabbed Officer Fritze. On May 12, 1943, the suspect was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging, pending final action by the President of the United States. On November 13, 1943, President Roosevelt commuted the death sentence to life in prison. The suspect was transferred from Pueblo Air Base to a Federal Penitentiary to serve his sentence.
Staff Sergeant Fritze was a United States Army veteran who served with the United States Army Air Force Military Police for ten months and was assigned to the 948 Guard Squadron at Pueblo Air Base.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-2CC7E6E8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Staff Sergeant Fritze served with the United States Army Air Force Military Police.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Frank Charles Fritze served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Staff Sergeant Frank Charles Fritze is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Army Air Force Military Police, 1 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Charles Fritze's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Charles Fritze Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Charles Fritze is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Charles Fritze was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from United States Army Air Force Military Police are honored on badge.nw.
