Can be found on the 'Season 5" DVD set, in the "A Matter of Honor" episode. Early in the show, when being questioned by the Mexican police about the traffic accident, Columbo hands his badge to an officer. As the officer looks at the badge, the camera shows what he sees.

In the past, it would have just been another 1-2 second glimpse on the screen - but now we all have the luxury and benefit of DVD players that can freeze-frame any scene with the 'pause'.

The signature is as clear as day, in my opinion and only confirms what I always gathered the first name was.

"Frank", correct? You are right, that is the clearest view of his name.

Yup, that's the one.

.......or the clearest view of what the prop guy thought his name was.

I think the clearest shot of the Lt.'s name is in "Dead Weight" when Columbo meets the General for the first time. He shows his badge, and, via the magic of DVD, you can see his name clearly reads 'Frank.'

On a related note.....

I'm just back from the Museum of Television & Radio, where I checked out an episode of 'Checkmate' among other shows.

At one point a character played by Diana Van Der Vlis says to the detective played by James Whitmore (both guest stars):

"I don't even know your first name."

His reply?

"Lieutenant."

Wasn't this basically the same exchange between Columbo and Faye Dunaway's character? I'm fairly certain something similar was said in at least one episode, but for some reason this one seems the most plausible.