Retired Providence, Rhode Island, Police Officer Kills Wife, Self

The motive remains under investigation

A retired Rhode Island police officer wanted on suspicion of killing his wife led police on a chase in New Jersey Saturday night before killing himself, police said.

The woman's body was found in the trunk of the retired officer's car, and the man, former Providence police officer Franklin Osgood, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Norwich, Connecticut, police said a Be on the Lookout (BOLO) was issued to all Connecticut police departments for the couple and their vehicle Saturday. Police said it was intially believed that Osgood was taking his wife to the Quinnipiac River.

New Jersey State Police were notified around 9 p.m. Saturday by Providence police that Osgood was believed to be traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike, according to a state police news release. He was considered armed and dangerous.

Troopers located Osgood's black 2007 Dodge Charger near Ridgefield Park in Bergen County, but Osgood refused to stop, according to the release. He lost control of the car and went off the road, damaging a trooper's cruiser in the crash.

When troopers approached the car they found the 61-year-old Osgood with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. They found the body of his wife, 55-year-old Mary Jo Osgood, in the trunk.

Franklin Osgood was pronounced dead about two hours later at Hackensack University Medical Center.

According to WJAR-TV, Providence police said Sunday that Osgood joined the department in 1995 and filed to retire in 2005, but didn't officially retire until two years later.

Providence police, who are still investigating a motive for the crime, said Osgood's daughter had called them Saturday to say her father was missing and distraught.

The trooper involved in the Turnpike crash was injured but is expected to recover, New Jersey troopers said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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