Age: 46
Served: >24 years
OFFICER
Benjamin Laugh was the fifth of six children born to Henry Martin and Francis Laugh. The family moved around a lot with Henry generally getting laborer jobs. Benjamin was born in Vanceburg, Kentucky. By 1900, the family moved back to Henry’s hometown, Moscow, Ohio and he had changed all their last names to “Law”.
As a young adult, Benjamin moved to Cincinnati and worked as an Inspector. At 22, and while living on Eastern Avenue in Cincinnati, he took a wife, Margaret. During 1903 they had a daughter, Irene. By 1905, the three had returned to Moscow and Margaret passed away.
Within three years, Benjamin was living with his 5-year-old daughter when he took another wife, Mary. Together, they had three more children and Benjamin was working as a private watchman and later as a private policeman. By 1918, they were living at 1831 Russell Street in Covington, Kentucky and Benjamin was a Covington Patrolman.
INCIDENT
On December 30, 1924, still living on Russell, Patrolman Law was off duty and at home when he heard a woman scream. He grabbed his revolver and went outside to investigate. A neighbor advised him that Foltz’s Grocery store at 19th and Russell, five doors from his home, was being robbed.
Patrolman Law responded and confronted the robber. The robber grabbed a woman and pulled her to in front of him. Using her as his shield, the robber shot Patrolman Law who could not fire on him without hitting the woman. Patrolman Law went down. The robber ran to Patrolman Law, shot him four more times, and ran from the building. Patrolman Law was rushed to Saint Elizabeth Hospital.
DEATH
Six days later, at 10 p.m. on January 5, 1925, Patrolman Law died.
Patrolman Law was survived by his wife of seventeen years, Mary Law (46), and children; Irene Law (19), Farrell Law (15), Francis Law (11), and Schadler Law (10). He was buried on January 8, 1925 in Section 17, Lot 328 in Highland Cemetery of Ft. Mitchell.
INVESTIGATION
While the incident was thoroughly investigated, the murderer was never identified.
If you know of any information, artifacts, archives, or images regarding this officer or incident, please contact the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum at Memorial@Police-Museum.org.
© This narrative was revised on December 31, 2013 by Cincinnati Police Lieutenant Stephen R. Kramer (Retired), Greater Cincinnati Police Historical Society President, based on his research and that of our Historian, Cincinnati Homicide Detective Edward W. Zieverink III (Retired), Greater Cincinnati Police Museum Historian. All rights are reserved to them and the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum.