Honoring fallen heroes: Capt. Ralph Frasure’s funeral held in Prestonburg

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Prestonsburg Police Captain Ralph Frasure was laid to rest on Wednesday.

Frasure, Deputy William Petry, Officer Jacob Chaffins and K-9 Drago were killed on June 30 in an ambush.

Lance Storz is accused of killing all three men and shooting others. He’s charged with multiple counts of murder.

Frasure’s funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at the Mountain Arts Center:

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Several people who spoke at the funeral talked about Captain Frasure’s sense of humor. They made it clear he liked to play jokes on the people he loved.

He also took pride in his work as a school resource officer, one of the speakers said he knew he would have to quit smoking if he wanted to work in the high school.

Police Chief Randy Woods said on the day Frasure was killed, there was a call over the radio to hold back because of the dangerous situation. However, Frasure knew he had colleagues who were in danger.

“Ralph’s life made a difference. He gave of himself. And, ultimately, gave himself so others may live,” Woods said.

Chief Woods made a comment at Frasure’s funeral about how he never expected double duty to mean something like this. Thursday, he’ll be back at the Mountain Arts Center for the funeral for Officer Chaffins.

Monday, the community said goodbye to Deputy Petry. His colleagues say he was one of the best officers they had ever met.

Chief Woods made a comment at Frasure’s funeral about how he never expected double duty to mean something like this. Thursday, he’ll be back at the Mountain Arts Center for the funeral for Officer Chaffins.

The Chaffins family has requested no cameras inside the funeral. We will honor their request.

Petry, Frasure and Chaffins will all be laid to rest at Gethsemane Gardens in Prestonsburg.

After Frasure’s funeral a long line of police cruisers from across Kentucky, and even a few from neighboring states, led the funeral procession through Prestonsburg to the cemetery. The procession passed by Prestonsburg High School, which is where Captain Frasure was a school resource officer for the last several years.

Many of the faculty and staff were at the funeral, but others stood in front of the school.

“He was always talking to students, students were coming up talking to him. He attended extracurricular events. Ralph was always a presence at Prestonsburg High School,” said Principal Ricky Thacker.

Frasure’s presence will certainly be missed, especially when students come back to school. There is a small memorial at the school, a bouquet of flowers and balloons with Captain Frasure’s badge number. The school says they hope to put something more permanent at some point.

A memorial service for Floyd County Sheriff K-9, Drago, is also scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at Mountain Arts Center. That service will be dog-friendly, so other four-legged officers can attend to pay their respects.

Money is being raised for the families of the law enforcement officers. There is a fund set up through the Floyd County Community Foundation.

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