Somerset Police Chief pens touching tribute after officer who served for 50 years passes away

Somerset Police Chief William Tedford has released a statement after the passing of a legend of the department.

“Yesterday, our Somerset Police family lost a member whose dedication to the Town and the Department will never be matched.

“Reserve Officer Farrell Freeborn died on February 8, 2026, at his home on Chace Street at the age of 96. Farrell was one of the most dedicated officers to ever serve here at the SPD, a friend to many, and a true professional gentleman; serving our community for 50 years as a reserve police officer. That number is not a “typo”.

“I worked alongside Farrell as a reserve officer myself in 1996, often riding along with him during training patrols. Farrell was the only reserve officer in Somerset allowed to man a patrol car without riding shotgun to a full-time officer, and that in itself spoke volumes to us as new hires. I learned a lot about work ethic and dedication to the Town from Farrell during these times, and also as I moved along in seniority as a full-time officer with the PD. As many who worked with Farrell will tell you, we could ALWAYS count on him being the only reserve officer to respond when the calls went out at 3am for prisoner watch. His only request would be to start a pot of coffee for him as he made his way in. These types of shifts paid very little money, and Farrell could have made much more the next day working a road detail, but he came in every time we called; foregoing the better money for a chance to help out the PD when no one else would. And every Sunday, you could find him standing across from the Congregational Church on County Street in the Town Hall parking lot, ready to assist churchgoers as they crossed County Street.

“Officer Farrell Freeborn’s legacy of devotion to the PD and the Town will never be forgotten, and it is with this in mind that I will have his name etched alongside the names of full-time officers who have served our agency and since passed. Farrell will be the first, and last, reserve officer to ever be placed on this memorial of honor. He has certainly earned this recognition, and I have no doubt the men who will share this memorial with him would agree.

“We will all miss you Farrell, and the lessons you taught us by example. Somerset thanks you for your service. I thank you for your friendship and mentorship. Rest easy, Officer Freeborn.”

Services have not yet been announced.