Prev
Incident
Sergeant Frank Von Colln was assassinated while talking on the phone in the Cobbs Creek guard house at 63rd and Catherine Streets. He was shot five times and killed by a members of a radical racist group known as the Revolutionaries. Sergeant Von Colln had just dispatched two of his officers to investigate the wounding of another officer who had been shot by members of the same group. The assassins targeted the Cobbs Creek guard house because of its remote location. Two other officers were shot and wounded within the same 24-hour period. Five suspects, all in their mid 20s, were eventually apprehended. All five were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. As of December 31, 2011, all five were still in prison. In 1996 a sixth suspect was apprehended in Chicago, Illinois, and charged with Sergeant Von Collin's murder. He was acquitted in 1999. On May 31, 1973, one of the five and another inmate attacked and stabbed to death Warden Patrick Curran and Deputy Warden Robert Fromhold of the Philadelphia Prison System. They also stabbed and seriously wounded a guard who came to their rescue. The other inmate was in prison for the murder of Police Officer Joseph V. Kelly of the Philadelphia Police Department on February 21, 1971. As of June 20, 2020, Sergeant Von Colln's killer was in prison. Sergeant Von Collin had a son and a daughter who became police officers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtne6ya7zdb52mx5rx09q- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Von Colln served with the Fairmount Park Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Von Colln.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fairmount Park Police Department has lost 7 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 7 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 43. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Frank was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Frank was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.5% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Fairmount Park Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Fairmount Park Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Fairmount Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
