FOP revokes endorsement after judge’s comments

The Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge 9 rescinded the endorsement of a Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge in a symbolic move following comments he made to a defendant from the bench.

Lodge President Jason Pappas said the revocation of the endorsement of Judge Richard Frye, who was elected in 2016 to a six-year term, marks only the second time the FOP has chosen to take back an endorsement.

The lodge voted unanimously at the July 10 meeting to rescind the endorsement.

A motion was made following comments Frye made from the bench in the case of Demarko Anderson, whose case made headlines after a video captured Columbus Police Officer Zach Rosen stomping one time on Anderson’s head after the suspect was handcuffed and arrested in April 2017.

Rosen was initially fired, then was reinstated by an arbitrator this year.

Anderson, who had previous felony convictions, was not permitted to have a gun and was charged with multiple crimes.

In May, Anderson was sentenced after being convicted.

As Frye sentenced Anderson to four years in prison, he offered an apology on behalf of the community.

“Let me apologize on behalf of the public for the officer kicking you,” Frye told Anderson. “We do not have officers, generally, who do that sort of stuff, and it’s wrong. Everybody knows it’s wrong. But if nobody’s said that to you, well, I’ll say it on behalf of the public.”

Pappas said Anderson’s conduct did not warrant an Frye apology from Frye on behalf “of the public.”

While Frye, 69, is not up for re-election this year and is prohibited from running again because of his age, Pappas said the move was still considered necessary by members of the lodge, which represents Columbus police, among others.

“It’s not what he should have done,” Pappas said. “At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about.”

The only other time the Capital City Lodge rescinded an endorsement was more than 10 years ago, when a candidate withheld information about a prior arrest, Pappas said.

Frye said he has not seen a copy of the lodge’s letter and is restricted in what he can say in response to public criticism.

“I’m going to keep working to be the best judge I can be,” he said.

Frye’s term expires in January 2023.