Retired RI officer kills wife, himself, say police

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A retired Providence police officer and his wife are both dead in an apparent murder-suicide, according to police.

Investigators say the ex-cop killed his wife and then fled to New Jersey where he took his own life after being spotted by police, reports WLNE-TV. 

Police said one of 61-year-old retired officer Franklin Osgood's four children frantically showed up to the police department on Saturday after a traumatic phone call with her father.

"He had clearly indicated, verbally, to a family member, one of his children, that he had caused harm to their mom, to his wife,” said Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh Clements.

Police rushed to the couple’s home at 435 Eaton Street in Providence’s Elmhurst neighborhood to check on his wife, Mary Jo, but nobody was home. Police said they could tell there was a disturbance in the garage, but weren't sure of Mary Jo's location.

Osgood fled as far south as Maryland. Just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, New Jersey State Police found him driving near the New York border. His car crashed into the turnpike barrier and moment later, he shot himself, said police.

Officers on scene found Mary Jo’s body in the trunk of the vehicle. Police believe she was shot and killed in Providence sometime Friday.

Osgood joined the department in 1995 and formally retired from the in 2007. He was collecting a monthly accidental disability retirement pension.

Colonel Clements, along with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and other police officers, spent the day Sunday consoling Osgood's four children.

Cox Media Group