Dear Family Members:
You likely got tired of it.
Everywhere you were with him, you were unable to hold a conversation with him because so many others did. We doubt you ever would go to the grocery with him because a 30-minute trip turned into an hour or more because he insisted to speak with everyone who asked for his time.
That was Jefferson County Fred Abdalla Sr., the defender of all children, a partner to each of his deputies for the past 37 years, an American veteran, and THE law in every nook and cranny of Jefferson County. The statement released by his deputies last week soon after their sheriff passed away included one sentence that bestowed the greatest honor for any member of law enforcement:
“Sheriff, you have managed to reach a level only the most famous of American lawmen have: your name is your authority and your face is your badge.”
Nothing could be truer. It did not matter where you were – a homicide scene or a Big Red football game; the Anonymous rallies of 2012-13 or a middle school variety show … there was Sheriff Fred. When you called and left a message for him, the first thing he would ask when calling back was how you and your family had been since the last time the two of you talked. It was genuine, too, and appreciated, as well.
Fred Abdalla Sr. rooted for everyone, and he congratulated folks for their successes. Fred paid special attention to the children of the county because he had witnessed and accepted the realities of growing up in the Upper Ohio Valley. The Sheriff explained on occasion that if a child never experienced as much as possible, that child would never know what to dream about any given night.
Fred cared. Fred loved. Fred cheered for all of us. And Fred delivered justice to the people and that’s one of so many reasons why stadiums were illuminated last Friday night across the Upper Ohio Valley and why every single media outlet has published or broadcast tributes in his memory.
We hope you have seen it all and have come to realize our appreciation for the man he was not only to you but to thousands across this region. The term “legend” is not large enough.
Please accept our condolences. God bless you all.
Fans of Your Fred
