I know the subject is quite milked out in the years, but I clearly see the name Frank written on the ID. I don't really care if you want to discuss this or not, I just wanted to state my opinion on the case
Actually, the name on the badge/I. D. isn't as clear as people think it is. The "Fr" part is messy and blurred. It could in fact be "Hank".
However, if you get your face right up to the TV screen and stare at that freeze-framed image of Columbo's badge for a good seven hours straight, it becomes very obvious that the name on the I. D. is Randy. (Right, Cassa?)
Of course I remember.....I remember Randy/Rudy and I also remember standing in front of my tv in the kitchen rewinding and pausing and playing and rewinding and....well you get the picture...and there I would be...inches from the screen squinting my eyes and freeze-framing when I needed to........Headache??? What is wrong with us?!?!?