File:Cheif Milt Frech Dies at 56 from the Frederick News-Post, March 31, 2021.jpg

Summary

Community 'heartbroken' after Brunswick police chief, 56, dies By Mary Grace Keller from The Frederick News-Post, March 31, 2021

In Photo: Chief Frech at the Veterans Day Parade 2015

Brunswick Police Chief Milton Frech Jr., who served more than 30 years in local law enforcement, died unexpectedly Tuesday. He was 56. City officials and law enforcement leaders reeled from the loss, describing Frech as a community-oriented chief who was beloved by many. “I’ve shed a few tears this morning,” Rick Weldon, who was city administrator in the early years of Frech’s time as chief, said Tuesday. “Milt wasn’t just the most amazing, professional law enforcement officer I’ve known. He was a treasured friend of mine.” The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, where Frech worked for more than a decade, and Maryland State Police responded to a call for a person in cardiac arrest in the 9200 block of Waynesboro Road in Emmitsburg at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to a news release. The sheriff’s office said Frech was pronounced dead on scene from natural causes. Weldon, a Brunswick resident and the president and CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, met Frech while the chief worked for the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. He said they became close when they worked together for the city of Brunswick. “Milt was different than other law enforcement officers,” Weldon said. He had an “inherent sense” of emotions. Weldon said Frech was known for mentoring officers and treating them like family. In his free time, he liked to tinker with cars and tractors. Frech also enjoyed listening to Weldon’s political tales. The two friends last spoke about two weeks ago, when they ran into each other at the Brunswick Shopping Center. Weldon said they chatted about their rival football teams and how officers were doing in the police department. He said Frech seemed like his normal self. “His legacy was cemented based on the time and effort and thought he put into community policing in Brunswick,” Weldon said. Frech was appointed chief in 2009 when, to his surprise, the city council voted him in unanimously during a council meeting, according to News-Post archives. He interviewed for the permanent position while serving as acting chief at the time and succeeded former Chief John Smith. Frech’s promotion to chief brought stability to the department at a time when the top position in the department had seen a high turnover rate, according to Weldon. Frech started his career as a police officer with the Baltimore City Police Department in 1987 and served two years there. He then spent five years with the Frederick Police Department before joining the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in 1993. He retired from the sheriff’s office in 2007 before going to Brunswick as assistant chief, according to previous reporting. “Today, the Brunswick Community has lost a member of our family. Chief Frech was well known in our community and will be deeply missed,” Brunswick Mayor Nathan Brown said in a prepared statement. “He advanced the Brunswick Police Department by leaps and bounds when he joined many years ago, and his approach to community policing was appreciated by everyone. His memory will live on in the relationships he established within the City and the greater Brunswick community.” The mayor credited Frech with attracting and retaining officers, which can be hard for a smaller department to do. Brown added Frech made a point to stop and talk to people, treating them with respect and dignity no matter the situation. Brown said Frech instilled this approach in other officers. “It has always amazed me how Milt and his officers could respond to tough calls and situations, but then de-escalate those situations,” Brown wrote. “Even in situations that may result in an arrest, those same individuals still respect and admired Milt because of how he handled the situation.” David Dunn, the current city administrator in Brunswick and a retired police officer, said he and Frech had much in common and swapped stories about their times in law enforcement. “Milt had a fair and honest attitude towards the citizens that was reflected in his enforcement style,” Dunn wrote in an email. “He brought a professional stabilizing style to the [police department] after some unstable years. He was respected by his peers and residents alike.” Dunn said the chief was instrumental in bringing a “community policing aspect” to the daily operations of the Brunswick Police Department. Frech encouraged officers to treat people fairly, and he recently conducted training on equal treatment, according to Dunn. He said this leadership garnered a high level of respect from the public toward the department. The city issued a statement on the chief’s death, which read in part, “Chief Frech was a wonderful co-worker and friend, and everyone that worked with him at the City is heartbroken.” Law enforcement leaders honor fallen chiefSheriff Chuck Jenkins said in a statement the chief’s death is a tremendous loss to his family, Brunswick and the entire county. At the sheriff’s office, Frech worked as a school resource officer, narcotics and vice team member, community response team member and as a training officer. “Milt was an outstanding and dedicated law enforcement officer throughout his distinguished career, a life of service to this entire county,” Jenkins said. “We all lost a very good friend, who was so well thought of by everyone who knew him professionally and in his personal life. I extend my sincere condolences to the entire Frech family.” Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith described Frech as the consummate professional. “He really was ahead of his time when it came to community policing. He was someone that was universally respected in the law enforcement community and its partners,” Smith said. Frederick Police Chief Jason Lando, who became chief earlier this month, just met Frech a few days ago when officers graduated from the police academy “Milt greeted me with a warm welcome to Frederick and offered to help me get acclimated to the area. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing this morning. My heart goes out to his family and his fellow officers,” Lando wrote in an email. Thurmont Police Chief Greg Eyler communicated with Frech often, he said. They also worked together for many years at the sheriff’s office. “He made a tremendous, positive impact while serving with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office and as the Brunswick Police Chief,” Eyler wrote in an email. Eyler knew Frech as someone who was devoted to the profession and loved his family deeply. Despite the rigors of the job, Eyler said Frech always had a joke to share. “His work ethics were extraordinary. I considered Milt to be a friend who I could count on to assist when asked,” Eyler said. “I know he loved his family as well as police work. He was sincere, compassionate and had a great personality.”