Long time OSP Trooper found deceased outside his Roseburg area home – No foul play say investigators
Trooper Don Freirchs, 51
Found deceased at his his Melrose area home Wednesday.
Veteran OSP Trooper Donald Frerichs was found deceased at his home near Roseburg Wednesday. Investigators say foul play was not involved. They said it was likely an accident. They didn’t elaborate.
A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office release indicated that Frerichs had been working outside on his Melrose area property most of the day. Family members said they tried repeatedly to call him but there was no answer. A family member drove over to his house to check on him. He was found deceased.
Arriving detectives examined the death scene and said they found no evidence of foul play or anything else suspicious. An autopsy was pending.
Senior Trooper Frerichs was a 27 year veteran of Oregon State Police. He had been a coast patrol officer prior to taking an OSP Game Warden position out of the Roseburg Office. His fellow officers called Frerichs a dedicated professional and that he loved his job. They said they’ll always remember him a dedicated family man, a friend to many and a high standards law enforcement professional.
Trooper Frerichs was witness to many family tragedies during his nearly 30 years of service – including his own family tragedy in 2014. Frerichs was out hunting with his 20 year old daughter north of Myrtle Creek when he mistook her for big game. His daughter Rachel did not survive the wounding.
