Beloved police veteran, 54, dies unexpectedly
Capt. `Freddie' H. Bobbitt Jr. was with local force for more than three decades
A beloved veteran Fremont police captain died unexpectedly Monday, police said.
Capt. Frederick “Freddie” H. Bobbitt Jr. had served with the Fremont Police Department for more than 32 years, according to a police statement announcing his death.
He was 54 and lived in San Joaquin County. He attended high school in Fremont and, according to city spokeswoman Geneva Bosques “knew everybody, and had a personal connection with everybody.”Tracy police have initially called Bobbitt's death an “unattended” one. Authorities said that means it was unexpected and that there were no underlying health concerns immediately noticeable.
No other details were available immediately.
“We are extremely sad to learn of his sudden passing,” Alameda County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Kelly said. “Freddie was an outstanding police officer, leader, friend and mentor to many of us in Alameda County law enforcement.”
“As expected,” Fremont police wrote in the statement, “our department is
in disbelief and shock.”
Bobbitt attended Mission San Jose High in Fremont and began his career with Fremont police as an explorer. Bosques said he also worked in the jail before becoming an explorer.
“He was all that everybody said he was,” Bosques
said. “He was an extremely kind human being to people and this is just devastating to so many people.”
According to Bosques, Bobbitt's greatest strength was his relationship-building skills — “gifts,” as she called them.
“He has always been very committed to community
engagement and understood the power behind building relationships between the police in the community,” Bosques said. “He was very good at it in a very meaningful way. He knew people by name. He knew their children. And he knew something about each of them.”
Bosques said Bobbitt was married and that he had a son who's a detective with the department.
Fremont police said they will share more information in the days ahead on how to support Bobbitt's family. No funeral information was available immediately.