Incident
Trooper Frank Vazquez was killed when he was struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on I-270 in Columbus, Ohio.
He was standing outside of his vehicle when the drunk driver struck the rear of his patrol car. The patrol car and the suspect's vehicle collided with Trooper Vazquez and into the stopped vehicle.
The 33-year-old drunk driver, convicted four times for drunk driving, was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and drunk driving. On May 20, 2002, the driver was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison. He was released in December of 2009. On May 14, 2012, he was sent back to prison for 30 months for driving while his license was permanently revoked. Trooper Vazquez had served with the Ohio Highway Patrol for almost four years.
The 33-year-old drunk driver, convicted four times for drunk driving, was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and drunk driving. On May 20, 2002, the driver was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison. He was released in December of 2009. On May 14, 2012, he was sent back to prison for 30 months for driving while his license was permanently revoked.
Trooper Vazquez had served with the Ohio Highway Patrol for almost four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three young children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Trooper Vazquez gave the Ohio State Highway Patrol 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Ohio. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Vazquez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ohio State Highway Patrol has lost 42 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 1 officer at Ohio State Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 3 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 26. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Ohio State Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 26.8 and 29.8; the middle age was 27. Frank had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 2.7 years.
Frank was 26. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 12.5% of these deaths at Ohio State Highway Patrol; January holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 25%.
November holds 6.8% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 14.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 19% of all 42 deaths at Ohio State Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 12.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% 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 automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
His people
Ohio State Highway Patrol has 42 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
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John F. Best
Jun 17, 1935
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LeRoy S. Bedell
Aug 20, 1935
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James E. Ivory
Jan 7, 1936
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Charles W. Timberlake
Aug 7, 1936
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Karl E. Bushong
Jun 7, 1937
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George A. Conn
Sep 27, 1937
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Charles G. Cannon
Jan 1, 1938
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John G. Hough
Dec 3, 1940
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Paul L. McManis
Sep 28, 1941
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John E. Ruch
Mar 4, 1942
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Vance M. Andrews
Nov 21, 1945
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James P. Gardner
Feb 28, 1948
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Harry D. Grimes
Jun 8, 1952
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James A. Fredericka
May 8, 1953
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Earl W. Casterline
Oct 19, 1953
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Frank J. Hossler
Sep 22, 1956
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Robert E. Karsmizki
Mar 31, 1957
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Ernest E. Cole
Oct 3, 1964
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Jon D. Birchem
Feb 27, 1967
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Harold K. Hanning
Aug 6, 1970
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James A. Kirkendall
Oct 28, 1970
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Joel F. Miller
Dec 6, 1971
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Carl L. Thrush
Feb 6, 1972
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William J. Keller
Oct 14, 1972
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David L. Sterner
Feb 25, 1973
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Jerry Ray Neff
Jan 30, 1974
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Edward G. Moore
Jul 23, 1976
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Charles V. Vogel, Jr.
Jan 24, 1980
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William R. Bender
Nov 20, 1982
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Jody S. Dye
Jul 5, 1985
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Wendy G. Everett
Aug 5, 1988
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Kenneth A. Maloney
Jul 28, 1990
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James R. Gross
Jan 19, 1996
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Robert Perez, Jr.
May 15, 2000
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Frank Galvan Vazquez
Nov 6, 2001
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Dale Rodney Holcomb
Sep 28, 2006
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Joshua Patrick Risner
Sep 28, 2006
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Jack P. Holland, II
Aug 21, 2007
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Andrew C. Baldridge
Feb 4, 2010
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Michael Allyn Paris, Sr.
Aug 1, 2012
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Kenneth V. Velez
Sep 15, 2016
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Nicholas P. Cayton
Oct 16, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
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