I lived in Columbus for three months with Frankie and Billy Heilshorn at the end of 1994. We were all sharing a two bedroom apartment. Frankie and I tried to share the big room first but that didn't work out. We were the best of friends in high school but found out that we weren't that good of roomates. I moved back to Defiance to go back to school at Defiance College. A year or two later Frankie came back to Defiance and delivered a pizza to my house (before he became a State Trooper). We had a great talk! That was the last time I remember talking with him. His funeral was one of the toughest moments for me....
I love you man! I'll see you in heaven when I get there!
Trooper Frank G. Vazquez
July 7, 1975 - November 6, 2001
Hometown: Defiance
128th Academy Class: July 25, 1997
Trooper Vazquez of the West Jefferson Post was stopped with a violator on Interstate 270 when a vehicle struck his Patrol car from behind. Tpr. Vazquez succumbed to his injuries the next morning.
Frankie was one my closest friends. When my brother drowned in 1983, I stayed with him and his family for a week while my parents were in Toledo. We lived a mile from each other for 7 years and spent many good times together. I attended his funeral in Marysville and it was extremely emotional event. The number of people that was there and the funeral procession was amazing. Anybody that knew Frankie, knows that loved his hair and he took 1-2 hours to get ready everyday and he was a very hard worker and dedicated to what he loved. The biggest loss is for his wife and kids though. For them to lose someone so unique.
My heart and prayers go out to Frankie family and his close friends.
What little I knew of Frankie was seeing him in the halls, classes and lunch. I have always been a pretty good judge of character when I meet people; and I have always felt that Frankie was a great guy to know.
It saddens me that I never got to know him any . Even though he and I didn’t know each other that well, I still feel as if I had lost a dear close friend.
When we lost Frank I was at that time a commercial truck driver. I used to be on a route that took me down near the place he lost his life. For the longest time, I had a hard time traveling that route.
I now live in Virginia and when I head home to visit family and friends I take 23 N. back into Ohio. Every time I get close to 270 Columbus area and I encounter the memorial I pull off and pay my respects to Frank. There is hardly a week goes by I don’t think about Frank and all the wonderful things he has done for the community while he was a state trooper.
Frank sure did have lots of friends that cared & loved him.
Frank - Although I didn’t know you on a personal level, my heart broke when I heard about your untimely passing. An still aches when I think of you.
I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.
Michael Ramirez
R.I.P. Trooper Frank G. VazquezHeather Wright (Martinez)
He definately was a great guy, could always make you laugh.B. J. Moss
I lived in Columbus for three months with Frankie and Billy Heilshorn at the end of 1994. We were all sharing a two bedroom apartment. Frankie and I tried to share the big room first but that didn't work out.We were the best of friends in high school but found out that we weren't that good of roomates. I moved back to Defiance to go back to school at Defiance College.
A year or two later Frankie came back to Defiance and delivered a pizza to my house (before he became a State Trooper). We had a great talk! That was the last time I remember talking with him.
His funeral was one of the toughest moments for me....
I love you man! I'll see you in heaven when I get there!
Michael Ramirez
Trooper Frank G. Vazquez July 7, 1975 - November 6, 2001 Hometown: Defiance 128th Academy Class: July 25, 1997 Trooper Vazquez of the West Jefferson Post was stopped with a violator on Interstate 270 when a vehicle struck his Patrol car from behind. Tpr. Vazquez succumbed to his injuries the next morning.Allen Wolff
Frankie was one my closest friends. When my brother drowned in 1983, I stayed with him and his family for a week while my parents were in Toledo. We lived a mile from each other for 7 years and spent many good times together. I attended his funeral in Marysville and it was extremely emotional event. The number of people that was there and the funeral procession was amazing. Anybody that knew Frankie, knows that loved his hair and he took 1-2 hours to get ready everyday and he was a very hard worker and dedicated to what he loved. The biggest loss is for his wife and kids though. For them to lose someone so unique.Allen Wolff
Brian Vance
My heart and prayers go out to Frankie family and his close friends.What little I knew of Frankie was seeing him in the halls, classes and lunch. I have always been a pretty good judge of character when I meet people; and I have always felt that Frankie was a great guy to know.
It saddens me that I never got to know him any . Even though he and I didn’t know each other that well, I still feel as if I had lost a dear close friend.
When we lost Frank I was at that time a commercial truck driver. I used to be on a route that took me down near the place he lost his life. For the longest time, I had a hard time traveling that route.
I now live in Virginia and when I head home to visit family and friends I take 23 N. back into Ohio. Every time I get close to 270 Columbus area and I encounter the memorial I pull off and pay my respects to Frank. There is hardly a week goes by I don’t think about Frank and all the wonderful things he has done for the community while he was a state trooper.
Frank sure did have lots of friends that cared & loved him.
Frank - Although I didn’t know you on a personal level, my heart broke when I heard about your untimely passing. An still aches when I think of you.
I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.
Rest in peace my friend;
Respectfully;
Brian E. Vance
Fernando Chavez
~Frankie Vazquez Golf Outing~Sept. 2010