Family of late Fremont police Captain Fred Bobbitt files wrongful death suit against city
FREMONT -- Family members of late Fremont Police Capt. Fred Bobbitt on Monday delivered to Alameda County Superior Court a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Fremont for allegedly contributing to Bobbitt's death, an attorney for the family said.
The family alleges that retaliation and other actions or inaction by city officials caused Bobbitt emotional distress. That played a significant role in Bobbitt's death, the complaint alleges.
Bobbitt died Feb. 21. He was 54 years old and lived in San Joaquin County.
Tracy police classified Bobbitt's death as unattended, which means he was healthy and expected to live. He had no known underlying health condition, Fremont spokesperson Geneva Bosques said earlier this year.
Bobbitt allegedly faced retaliation from then-Fremont City Manager Mark Danaj and then-Fremont Police Chief Kimberly Petersen. The alleged retaliation began in 2019 after Bobbitt corrected Danaj twice during a closed meeting with the City Council and for apparently "derailing" a city management decision to hold firm in negotiations with the police union over addressing vacancies in the patrol division.
"The last eight months have been extremely difficult, as we continue to grieve the tragic loss of Police Captain Freddie Bobbitt," a statement from the city said. "Fred "Freddie" Bobbitt was a beloved husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, colleague, and friend."
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, the City of Fremont said,
The last eight months have been extremely difficult as we continue to mourn the tragic loss of Police Captain Fred Bobbitt. Fred "Freddie" Bobbitt was a beloved husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, colleague, and friend.
Earlier today, the Bobbitt family announced that they are filing a lawsuit with the Alameda County Superior Court, seeking wrongful death damages against the City of Fremont. While the City has yet to be served with a complaint, the copy of the lawsuit linked in a recent press article unfortunately mischaracterizes facts and alleges substantial inaccuracies about the direct roles of the current City Manager, Police Chief and Mayor. In May of 2021, Fred Bobbitt filed a grievance with the City of Fremont. In December 2021, following formal arbitration, the arbitrator determined that the City's previous administration had violated the City's anti-retaliation policy. The current administration took immediate steps to carry out the arbitrator's ruling and complied fully with the arbitrator's decision.
The City of Fremont and its' employees have shown strong support to the Bobbitt family over the last several months, and the family continues to have our deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
Due to the pending litigation, the City will not be able to provide further comment on this matter.