Police Reopen Investigation Into 1975 Officer Slaying

And they're offering a $50K reward for information
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 3, 2015 6:02 PM CST
Police Reopen Investigation into 1975 Officer Slaying
Officer Franke Lewis   (Officer Down Memorial Page)

Late last month, the Long Beach Police Department reopened the investigation into a 28-year-old officer gunned down in front of his house in 1975, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports. Not only that, but the department is offering a $50,000 reward for any information that helps solve the case, according to the Los Angeles Times. CBS Los Angeles reports police decided to reopen the case into Franke Lewis' slaying after new information arose and held a news conference Tuesday to announce the reward.

Lewis, a father of two, had only been on the force two years when he got home early one December morning to see someone attacking a man who was sleeping in his car in front of Lewis' house, the Times reports. Lewis went to investigate and was shot by the attacker, who made off with Lewis' badge and gun. Lewis died in his wife's arms. According to the Press-Telegram, the man who was sleeping in his car that day 40 years ago credits Lewis with saving his life. (More police stories.)

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