Former Stanley Police Chief Roy Fredrickson has passed, following a short battle with cancer. He was 66. He leaves behind to mourn his passing his wife Linda and several siblings, as well as daughters Kayla and Deanne, their spouses, and several grandchildren.
The family shared the news of Fredrickson’s passing on Monday.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we post that our rock peacefully passed early this morning surrounded by his loved ones,” they wrote. “The last three weeks have been a whirlwind of family time, bucket list items, and just being with him. Prayer for peace and comfort for all of us as we navigate this next phase of life without him.”
Fredrickson first came to the Stanley Police Department in the 1980s. He completed law enforcement training at what is now Chippewa Valley Technical College, officially receiving his certificate after a 320-hour course on March 7, 1986.
He was later appointed as acting police chief for the city of Stanley by Mayor Clarence Hoel in May 1992, following a 6-2 vote by the council not to rehire police chief Chuck Ziel.
Fredrickson’s appointment as Stanley’s police chief was made permanent 10 months later on an unanimous council vote. He served 19 years in the position, retiring in 2011 under Stanley Mayor David Jankoski. Fredrickson was presented with a plaque at retirement that included the badge he had started out with.
Tributes poured in following news of Fredrickson’s passing. Current Stanley Police Chief Lance Weiland was among them.
“I had the privilege of working for Chief Fredrickson for the first nine years of my law enforcement career,” he said. “I will forever be grateful for him taking a chance on me back in 2002, offering me a full-time position when I was a brand new officer with literally no experience. I often think about how different my life would be today had he not given me that opportunity and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
“Chief Fredrickson was a cornerstone of this community for decades. I always respected how he showed up to work everyday, even when he wasn’t necessarily feeling the best, and set an example as someone that was always going to be present and there for the community when they needed it. I believe this is a very critical characteristic of a leader and Chief Fredrickson provided a great example of that each and every day.
“Chief Fredrickson had a long and respected law enforcement career, the majority of that being spent as police chief. I am incredibly thankful for his leadership and guidance over the years and am blessed to have been able to call him a co-worker and friend. We will certainly miss seeing him around town and are thankful for his decades of service to our community as a police officer, bus driver, and most recently as a seasonal employee for the public works department for the last several years.”
Fredrickson worked at Stanley Public Works following retirement from law enforcement, remaining active with public works until approximately two weeks ago.
Public works head Joe Schmitt also paid tribute to Fredrickson.
“He was with the city public works for five years,” Schmitt said of Fredrickson. “He was hardworking and knowledgeable. I could ask him to do almost anything.” Schmitt added that someone like Fredrickson was “hard to replace.”
“He will definitely be sincerely missed,” Schmitt said.
Former mayor Jankoski, who was mayor when Fredrickson retired as police chief, summed up the many tributes.
“I always appreciated the fact that while Roy was Stanley’s Chief of Police I never had to deal with any Police Department turmoil,” Jankoski said. “He was always forthcoming with information whenever there was a question raised about his department and timely with reports to the city council. His presence was respected in the city of Stanley and by the city council.”
A memorial service for Fredrickson will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4th, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church-Stanley with Pastor Kenneth Schmidt officiating. Inurnment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery-Stanley. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 3rd at the Plombon Funeral Home-Stanley and Friday one hour prior to services at the church.
There will also be a meal at the community center following the funeral. All are welcome to help celebrate his life.
A full obituary is on page 7.