New police chief served two 6-year terms as a district judge

For the last 11 years straight, Ralph Freedman Jr. has worn the blue uniform of a Ross police officer.

Now that Freedman, 60, is the chief, that's not going to change. He's planning to keep his white chief's shirt in the closet.

"I want to dress the same as my men. My men wear blue. I'm going to have a blue shirt, also," Freedman said.

Ross commissioners on April 11 named Freedman the police department's acting chief to replace Chief Greg Tenos, who officially retires May 1. Freedman will continue to receive his patrol officer's salary of $61,947 until his contract as chief is negotiated.

A Ross native, Freedman started as an officer in Ross in 1966 and rose to the rank of sergeant, leaving in 1982 to become a district judge. He served two six-year terms as district judge for McCandless, Franklin Park, Bradford Woods and Marshall before returning to the force as a patrol officer in 1993.

Because he did not hold a promotable rank, commissioners had to change the rules to make Freedman the chief.

"I felt he was the best one for the job," commissioners President Chris Eyster said. "It was a technicality that he was only a patrolman at this time."

Freedman said he never thought he'd have the chance to be chief.

"I was happy with what I was doing and the guys I was working with. I didn't figure Chief Tenos would retire," he said. "I'm just thankful the commissioners gave me the opportunity to serve the community as police chief. It's something you always dream of."

Freeman comes from a law enforcement family -- his father, two brothers and sister were all police officers.

Before embarking on a law enforcement career, Freedman took a swing at the big leagues, playing baseball as a pitcher and outfielder for the Kansas City Athletics' minor league team, the Burlington, Iowa, Bees, from 1962 to 1964. He gave it up after injuring his arm, but not before he got to pitch against Pirates future Hall-of-Famer Willie Stargell in spring training in Florida.

"That was great, because I got him out. I popped him up," Freedman said. "I watched him in batting practice, and he could hit the ball farther than anyone I saw in my life. That was a thrill to get him out for a pop fly."

Freedman said he ran for district judge at the urging of former District Judge Ray Thomas, who he worked for as a constable. A father of four, Freedman said he found the hours easier for family life.

As chief, Freedman said he wants to engage in pro-active work. He says most crime, including shoplifting, is drug related. Rather than releasing felony shoplifters -- who may be stealing to support a drug habit or career criminals -- he said the department will start arresting them.

"We might try to send a message," he said.

Among Freedman's other ideas is placing cameras on top of township malls to deter vehicle break-ins.

"Ralph is interested in effective, pro-active police work, which we haven't had in Ross Township for a while," Eyster said. "Ralph has plans to use the men effectively. I think we'll be back in the business of catching criminals before they strike."

Freedman said he hopes to be the police chief for at least five years -- "as long as I'm healthy and I feel good." Freedman and his wife, Linda, live in Shaler but plan to move to Jackson, Butler County.