Officer From Cherokee County Dies Unexpectedly

HOLLY SPRINGS, GA — Funeral services were held Friday for the Cherokee County resident and officer with the Chamblee Police Department who died unexpectedly last week. Friends and family said goodbye to Mary "Beth" Frye, 46, during a service held Oct. 5 at Lakeside Funeral home in Woodstock.

Frye was employed with the Chamblee Police Department for 22 years, five of which she served with the agency's K-9 Division. She was named the agency's Officer of the Year in 2017, and has been recognized for saving the lives of babies while on duty, according to her obituary.

One such incident occurred in August 2017 when Frye found a newborn baby boy with its umbilical cord still attached in a blue gym back left on a box in the entryway at Family Medical Clinic on Buford Highway, Chamblee police said on its Facebook page. Frye took care of the baby, which was transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital and admitted for treatment. Frye was credited with getting the "miracle baby" the emergency care he needed so he could be adopted.

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"Beth was a very outspoken person that had no problem showing “tough love” and was always the life of the party," her obituary reads. "Beth loved her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She was very loyal and had a magnetic personality."

Frye was born in Dallas and grew up in Temple. Her career began with her service as a dispatcher with the city of Dallas. Along with her public service, Frye was also active with the Canton Moose Lodge and its "Lady Moose" group, the obit adds.

Frye was preceded in death by her stepfather; Larry Prater. Survivors include her loving husband of 22 years, Sam; sons, John, Reilly, and Dakota; daughter, Alli; mother, Connie Prater; brother, Steve Searcy; grandmother, Bessie Cole Burt; and nephew, Eli Searcy. Several other extended family members, friends, and colleagues also survive.

A GoFundMe page has been established by Frye's daughter to help the family pay for funeral expenses. As of Saturday, more than $3,000 has been raised towards the $10,000 goal.

"Our family is in utter turmoil as we try and pick up the pieces of this tremendous loss," her daughter Alex wrote on the page. "Beth left behind a husband, four kids and one grandchild. We simply cannot afford the funeral expenses, (as) this was so unexpected. Beth was an amazing cop, she loved her job and put her all into her community. She deserves a great funeral service, and we can’t give that to her. Please help us to try and give her the funeral she deserves! Every penny counts!"

You can click here to consider donating to the GoFundMe page.

Image via Chamblee Police Department