City mourns passing of former police chief

After a courageous 23-year struggle with heart disease, Fred Albrecht, former Police Chief of Clayton from 1983 to 1991, passed away with family by his side April 15, 2013. He leaves behind his loving companion of 33 years, Patty, son Steven, daughters Lisa and Linda and son-in-law, Bob.

Fred had his first heart attack while chief in 1990, and retired from the police department in 1991. In 1994 he and Patty went on an adventure and moved to Phoenix, where he became director of Surveillance at Harrah’s Casino. They moved to Lake Tahoe in 1996, and Fred became director of Security at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village. A year later, missing Clayton, they moved back where they have resided the last 16 years.

Fred had a 31-year career in law enforcement and was an Army veteran. He held a Masters Pin in pistol marksmanship. Claytonians remember Fred as an avid fisherman and hunter, and Patty recalls the days of dove hunting up in the hills before Oakhurst was built. Many more remember Fred as the chief BBQ-meister at Clayton’s first “Round-Up,” where he generously doled out repeat portions of sirloin butts.

Most notably, Fred was honored and recognized in solving two cold-case murders, in San Bernardino and in Grand Junction, Colo. The latter was a mother-daughter homicide in the 1970s. This double murder, which haunted Fred for years, was only solved because of Fred’s diligence and quick thinking and evidence he meticulously collected at the scene – amazingly well preserved for DNA matching. Fred will truly rest in peace knowing justice has been served, and the murderer is now serving two life sentences.

A memorial service for Fred will be held on May 10 in San Bernardino, where he grew up and started his career in law enforcement.

Fred’s favorite causes were the Warrior Project [P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675] and the Fisher House Foundation [111 Rockville Pike, Ste. 420, Rockville, MD 20850, www.fisherhouse.org]. Fisher House helps the families of wounded servicemen and women with the cost of visiting their loved ones in the hospital such as airfare, hotel, etc.

A donation to either organization would honor Fred’s memory.