Widow of Cincinnati officer killed in 1974 asks public to help keep his killer in prison

Widow of Cincinnati officer killed in 1974 asks public to help keep his killer in prison

FOP president and Hamilton County prosecutor ask public to write letters to keep Roland Reaves in prison

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The widow of Cincinnati police officer David Cole spoke out Thursday against the release of Roland Reaves, the man convicted of killing her husband in 1974. Reaves’ parole hearing is in January 2027.

Cheryl Cole spoke at the FOP lodge, where she was joined by police and local leaders. She has fought for more than 50 years to keep Reaves in prison.

Standing in front of a photo of her husband and surrounded by officers who never met him, Cole said Reaves should not be released.

“He robbed David of a lifetime — of a future — and he needs to stay there for him, and for us,” Cole said. “David deserves all our help to keep him in prison.”

“Reaves gets another chance; David doesn’t,” Cole said. “We have spent a lifetime trying to keep him in jail, and he needs to stay there.”

What happened in 1974

Cole, 23, responded to a call in Walnut Hills in 1974 and stopped two men on the street.

FOP President Ken Kober said Reaves shot Cole three times, then pointed his own gun at his acco...