Denmark Township Police chief Fred Hecht is retiring after three decades of service to the community.
By Megan Decker
Staff Writer
DENMARK TOWNSHIP — After 30 years of serving the Denmark Township community, police chief Fred Hecht hung up the keys to his patrol car for one final time on June 30.
Hecht, a Vassar High School graduate, began his career in law enforcement with the Vassar Police Department on Jan. 24, 1969. He served with the department for over three years before taking on the position of weighmaster with the Tuscola County Road Commission. He served in that role for 10 years.
Hecht credits his career in law enforcement to former Vassar police chief John Horwath, who worked as a full-time officer when Hecht joined the force over 40 years ago.
“I always wanted to be a police officer, but before I took the position with the Vassar department, John Horwath took me under his wing and let me ride along with him at least
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eight to 10 times a month,” Hecht explained. “I was just a young man at the time and he really took me under his wing.”
Hecht said that was one of the most memorable experiences of his career in law enforcement.
“Before becoming an officer, I always had a lot of respect for law enforcement. I owe my career to John and Harry Schaub. I learned a lot from those two when I was first starting out. I’m happy they were able to show me the ropes.”
Hecht began serving the Denmark Township community in the early 1980s, first in the elected position of constable where he handled the monthly liquor inspections.
According to Denmark Township board meeting minutes dated Aug. 31, 1983, Hecht officially earned full-time pay from the township as its township chief of police; a position that was created at the time for him.
“Fred has always been here for us,” said Denmark Township clerk Chuck Heinlein. “Whatever needed to be done; he was always happy to lend a helping hand. Fred is going to be missed.”
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with great people — from great people in the neighborhood watch group to police officers with the FBI, Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office and Reese Police Department. I’ve had a great working relationship with all of them,” Hecht said.
“I also want to thank my wife, Denise, for being so understanding during my career.”
Hecht said that one of the memories of his career that sticks out in his mind was assisting with a birth shortly after beginning his career in Vassar.
“I remember being stopped at a light in downtown Vassar, shortly after I began my career, when a car pulled up behind us and began tooting its horn,” Hecht explained. “A woman got out of the car and said that her daughter was ‘having a baby.’ We turned our siren on and drove her up the hill to Dr. Shelp’s office. I remember helping deliver the baby in the back of the woman’s car.
“That was the first and only time I had to deliver a baby.”
During an open house reception held in Hecht’s honor on Sunday, he received an accolade from Denmark Township. He was presented with a plaque of recognition from the Denmark Township board of trustees at that time.
In his retirement, Hecht plans to spend more time with his wife as well as his step-children, Brent and Janel. He also plans to take some time for golfing, hunting and fishing, he said.
Although Hecht had planned to retire at this time, the Denmark Township Police Department will also shut its doors as residents did not approve a one mill operating millage last fall to continue its police operations within the township. The township will now rely solely on county services.