A40130200

On July 16, 1974, defendant Reaves and one Ricardo Woods planned to rob a loan company. To facilitate this robbery, these defendants purchased a .38 caliber special for $55. At approximately midnight on July 16, 1974, Woods and defendant Reaves began to "case" the United Dairy Farmers Store located at 2373 Florence Avenue. Defendant was armed with the newly purchased .38 special while Woods armed himself with a .22 caliber handgun.

In the early morning hours of July 17, 1974, Reaves was observed on the roof of the United Dairy Farmer's store by a concerned citizen who called police. Eventually, a radio broadcast was put out to the Cincinnati police officers in the vicinity concerning Reaves and Woods. This radio broadcast was received by Cincinnati Police Officer David Cole who responded to the area where Reaves and Woods were last seen walking northbound on Florence Avenue. Officer Cole spotted the two suspects and pulled his cruiser up to the curb alongside them. Woods stuck his head through the passenger window of the cruiser to talk to Officer Cole. As Woods did this, Officer Cole exited from the cruiser and moved toward the rear of the cruiser. Just as Woods pulled his head out of the window to see where Officer Cole had gone, Reaves started firing his weapon. The first bullet struck Officer Cole in the chest. Reaves continued firing three or four shots in all. Woods also fired at Officer Cole. Both men fled the scene as Officer Cole, lying bleeding on the ground, returned three shots at them.



Officer Cole was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was the result of multiple gunshot wounds to the body. The projectiles recovered by the coroner revealed that Cincinnati Police Officer David Cole was shot with .38 caliber and .22 caliber firearms.

Defendant Reaves was sentenced to death. Unfortunately, his death sentence was overturned on appeal when the United States Supreme Court invalidated many state death penalty schemes in the late 1970's. There has never been any question about defendant's guilt in this matter.

Murderers who are not given a death sentence, or who have their death sentences commuted, are given life sentences. Life means life. This defendant, in ruthless, cold-blooded fashion, fired multiple gun shots into the chest of a dedicated police officer and family man. What message is sent by letting such a dangerous person out of prison? A jury recommended that this man be sentenced to death. At the very least, he should serve his full life sentence.

By his actions in killing a police officer, Mr. Reaves represents a substantial risk to the community. The best and perhaps only protection we can give the community in this matter is the incapacitative effects of having Mr. Reaves locked up in a secure facility for the rest of his life.

AGAIN, THIS OFFICE STRONGLY OPPOSES ANY TYPE OF PAROLE OR RELEASE OF ROLAND REAVES FOR THE REST OF HIS NATURAL LIFE.

Public Hearing Comments