HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS: Remembering Clarkstown Police Detective Frederick J. Parent

By Supervisor George Hoehmann

This week I was overcome with sadness as we lost a dear friend of mine, Clarkstown Police Detective Frederick J. Parent. Freddy was a lifelong Clarkstown resident who devoted his life to serving our community.

I’ve known Freddy since our days at Clarkstown South High School together. We graduated the same year. He was always fun to be around and well liked. He began his life of service with the Nanuet Fire Department where he rose through the ranks to eventually become chief. He gave 27 years of his life keeping our community safe as a volunteer firefighter.

He then joined the Clarkstown Police Department as a dispatcher for five years before becoming a police officer in 1996. Freddy graduated with five other Clarkstown police officers from the Rockland County Police Academy: Dan Chazan, Jackie Kelly Kennedy, Jim McCormick, Chris Maloney, and Dan Burke. I know they shared a special bond and remained very close friends all these years.

Freddy was a good officer and spent much of his career working at the Palisades Mall as he became an expert in credit card scams and fraud. He was promoted to detective in 2005, only nine years after joining the department, which is considered really fast paced. He became an excellent detective and would never give up until he closed each case.

As Chief McCullagh recently said to me, “He was a real kind and gentle soul. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body and would do anything for anyone. He cannot be replaced.”

I have a heavy heart as I think about Freddy; he was a true hometown hero. He was a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about our town. His loss will be immeasurable and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and three children during this difficult time.

Rest in peace my friend.

  Clarkstown, clarkstown police, Freddy Parent, Frederick Parent, george hoehmann