A parole hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2007 for Roland Reaves.  The Cincinnati Police Department and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office urge all citizens to oppose the parole of Roland Reaves, who was convicted for senseless and brutal murder of  Patrolman David L Cole.

Citizens are urged to direct their correspondence to: 
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections
Office of Victim Services
1050 Freeway Drive N.
Columbus, Ohio, 43229

Please Include:
Name:  Roland Reaves
Inmate # A140827
Correctional Facility:  London Correctional Institution
Date of Incarceration:  January 16, 1975
Hamilton County Case Number:  B742064

Those with internet access can use the following website to voice objection to the release of this convicted murderer:  http://pwatch.hcpros.org/parole/.

On July 17, 1974, Patrolman David L. Cole responded to Gilbert Avenue and Florence Avenue to investigate a burglary in progress.  As Patrolman Cole traveled north on Florence Avenue, he observed Roland Reaves and Ricardo Woods.  Patrolman Cole immediately stopped and exited his marked police vehicle and was met with a volley of shots fired by both the assailants.  Patrolman Cole found the strength to remove his revolver and fire several shots; none of which hit Reaves or Woods.  Patrolman Cole died of his wounds shortly after his brother officers were at his side.

Reaves and Woods were convicted of Aggravated Murder of a police officer and sentence to die by electrocution.  The sentences were later commuted to life.

Patrolman Cole was survived by his wife Cheryl, his parents and other family members.  Patrolman Cole’s father, James Cole, served as a Cincinnati police officer from 1953 until he retired in 1981.