Clinton Township Police Chief Fred Posavetz Dies From COVID-19

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – Longtime Clinton Township Police Chief Fred Posavetz has died due to COVID-19 complication, town officials announced.

Posavetz, 64, was promoted to Police Chief in 2007. He began working for the police department in 1980 and worked with the department ever since, as Captain of the Road Patrol, Special Investigations Division, Criminal Investigation Division and Support Services.

“As Chief, Fred was always proud to promote and swear-in new police officers,” said Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon in the announcement of Posavetz's passing. “At these events, he emphasized the positive qualities of each officer, then he acknowledged and thanked the families for attending and for what would be their child’s next 25-years of service to the community.”

Posavetz's two sons, Ryan and Eric Posavetz, joined the Clinton Township police department in 2019, something Cannon said Posavetz was very proud of.

Posavetz graduated form the FBI National Academy and was a member of the FBI National Academy Associate training curriculum for the Michigan Chapter. He was also the President of the Macomb County Chiefs Association and was a founding member of the Clinton Township Police Department Honor Guard.

Cannon said Posavetz was integral to improving policing in the township by hiring officers based on their temperament, demeanor and professionalism.

“Fred understood what was important and how to prioritize,” Cannon said in the announcement. “He was able to separate those things of little consequence. He had the heart of a lion, strong and courageous. We will miss him immensely, are appreciative of his lifelong dedication to the residents of Clinton Township, and extend our sincere condolences to his family.”