"A Memorial Tribute To A Colleague and Neighbor.."
By Chief Fred Maas

He was a veteran, a police officer, a police chief, a father, husband and grandfather. He was our neighbor, our colleague and our friend. He was the recently retired police chief of Bal Harbour who was diagnosed with a terminal illness that took his life in less than 2 weeks.

As a neighboring chief, he was always there for us when we needed assistance. He was a remarkable man and I would be remiss if I did not share thoughts of him as were read at his memorial service:

August 17, 2004

Dear Michelle and Family,

As tears stream down my face, I struggle to write a few words on paper to let you know how much Larry meant to us and to law enforcement.

First of all, please forgive me for not being there at his final hour as I was out of town on vacation. However, I am indebted to my acting Chief, Lt. Mike Grandinetti who visited and sat and talked and shared with your family; especially with Larry's mom.

Just like everyone else, I was shocked by the sudden news of his condition and impending death. Larry and I are the same age, thus I asked why? Why him and not me? Why now and not later? Why to his family and not mine? I believe that only God has those answers and only time will provide them to us. I don't know.

What I do know about Larry is this.

He was the kindest, gentlest, most unassuming man and police Chief I ever met. Larry was the typical unsung hero of the team, never being up front for the accolades or recognition, but the behind the scenes person, who got the job done and others were recognized.

He was unassuming, not pretentious and the easiest person to talk to. I guess because he was a listener as opposed to a talker.

In my book, Larry Freeman was a friend, a colleague, a professional, a family man, which all add up to qualities we would love to have; he just had them all.

So, in a silent way, which was Larry's style, I just wanted you and your family to know how much he was revered and liked and loved by his friends and colleagues, as much as he was by his family.

Thank you Michelle, for the part of his life that he shared with us; we are better because of it...

Chief Fred Maas


God Bless You Larry, Rest in Peace and God Bless the Freeman Family...


 

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