Fremont Pays $1.5 Million to Settle Wrongful Death Suit from Late Police Captain’s Family
The City of Fremont has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Police Captain Fred Bobbitt, who died by suicide. The lawsuit, filed in October 2022 by Bobbitt’s widow, Annabel Bobbitt, claimed that pressure to retire early and retaliation from city officials contributed to his death.
The lawsuit alleged that starting in September 2020, Bobbitt, a longtime Fremont police commander, was pressured to “come up with an early exit plan” at the request of former City Manager Mark Danaj. This stress, the family claims, contributed to Bobbitt’s suicide in February 2022, when he was 54 years old.
The City Council unanimously approved the settlement during a closed session on July 16, but the agreement had not been reported until now. In a statement, City Manager Karena Shackelford expressed sympathy to the Bobbitt family, saying, “The city hopes that this action marks another step in the ongoing healing process.”
The lawsuit also highlighted mistreatment by Danaj, who was later convicted of receiving money under false pretenses for misusing his city credit card for personal expenses. Attorneys for the Bobbitt family stated that tensions between Danaj and Bobbitt began after a disagreement during a June 2019 City Council meeting, where police salaries were discussed. Bobbitt was serving as acting chief at the time, and after the meeting, Danaj allegedly called then-Chief Kim Peterson, who was on vacation, to complain about Bobbitt.
The lawsuit claimed that Peterson became critical of Bobbitt’s handling of a subordinate’s complaint and admonished him for not presenting a unified front to the City Council. As a result, Bobbitt was passed over for the police chief position in favor of fellow Captain Sean Washington. Bobbitt later filed complaints with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, alleging retaliation after he refused to sign a separation agreement. The department ruled in Bobbitt’s favor, stating the city had retaliated against him.
Bobbitt began seeking counseling for work-related emotional distress in 2021, and despite requesting additional mental health services, was placed on a waitlist. In the days leading up to his death in February 2022, Bobbitt expressed concerns to his wife about returning to work, fearing he would be placed on a mental health hold.
A doctor later determined that Bobbitt suffered from severe work-related stress and showed many signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), although he was never officially diagnosed. His death was ultimately attributed to depression and the stress he experienced at work.
The Bobbitt family’s attorneys argued for damages, citing the loss of “familial association, society, comfort, and affection.” Craig Peters, the attorney representing the family, described Bobbitt as “very beloved” and a significant loss to both his family and the community. He also revealed that the city had denied a non-monetary request to honor Bobbitt through an annual award in his name at the police department.
Peters emphasized the broad impact of Bobbitt’s death, saying, “It’s not just Freddie’s family that suffers… but a whole community loses.”
