Frederick George Haas

Frederick George Haas lived a life of extraordinary dedication to service, family, and community that spanned more than eight decades in Wisconsin. Born in Milwaukee in 1942, Frederick grew up in a close-knit family environment where he learned the values of hard work, commitment, and service that would define his entire adult life. The Haas family instilled in Frederick a strong sense of responsibility and community engagement that manifested early in his willingness to help his family and participate actively in his neighborhood and social communities.

As a young adult in 1958, Frederick's life took a pivotal turn when he met his future wife Lynn at a Moose Lodge dance. This meeting would prove to be one of the most significant moments in his personal history, though several years would pass before they could marry. Frederick understood the importance of completing his education and fulfilling his military obligations before committing to married life. In 1961, demonstrating his patriotic commitment, Frederick enlisted in the United States Army. His military service during the Cold War era shaped his worldview and reinforced values of discipline, service, and duty that would characterize his subsequent career in law enforcement.

After completing his military service and high school education, Frederick married Lynn in 1967, beginning a partnership that would span nearly six decades. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Laura and Jennifer, who became the center of Frederick's family-oriented life. Laura would later marry Dave Witek and achieve recognition as an accomplished athlete in cross country and track in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Jennifer married Brian Baker and maintained her residence in the Green Bay area.

On November 2, 1964, Frederick began his distinguished career with the Milwaukee Police Department, starting as a Patrolman assigned to District 2 on Milwaukee's South Side. The Milwaukee Police Department, with roots extending back to 1855, had evolved into a substantial metropolitan police force. During his early patrol years, Frederick quickly distinguished himself through his professionalism, dedication, and skill, qualities that positioned him for advancement within the department.

Recognizing his potential, the department promoted Frederick to Detective on January 8, 1978. As a Detective, he initially worked with the Vice Squad and later in the Criminal Investigation Bureau on general duty assignments. These roles exposed him to diverse criminal investigations and developed his investigative skills, interview techniques, and tactical awareness. His work as a detective from 1978 until late 1980 established his reputation as a thorough and professional investigator.

In late 1980, Frederick made a career transition that would define his professional legacy, becoming an Arson/Fire Investigator. This specialization required extensive technical training and forensic expertise. Frederick approached this challenge with characteristic dedication, pursuing formal education and achieving significant milestones. In 1976, he had graduated with honors from Milwaukee Area Technical College with a degree in police science. He later attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and completed over 1,500 hours of specialized arson and auto theft investigation seminars across the Midwest and other states.

Frederick's commitment to professional excellence led him to become the first Certified Arson Investigator for the Milwaukee Police Department. The Certified Fire Investigator credential, established by the International Association of Arson Investigators in 1986, represented rigorous standards of training and competency. His achievement of this certification distinguished him as a recognized expert in his field and demonstrated his commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards.

Throughout his career, Frederick worked closely with federal agencies including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as part of the Milwaukee Arson Task Force. This collaborative work exposed him to complex federal investigations and demonstrated his capability to operate effectively within multi-agency environments. His expertise in fire investigation made him a valuable contributor to important cases protecting the Milwaukee community.

Frederick's dedication to his profession extended beyond his individual work to encompass significant leadership roles in professional organizations. He served as president of the Wisconsin Arson Insurance Council and was an active member of both the International Association of Arson Investigators and the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators. Most notably, he served as the Arson Seminar Chairman for the Wisconsin chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators for 18 years, organizing training programs and fostering professional development opportunities for fire investigators throughout Wisconsin.

Beyond his fire investigation expertise, Frederick demonstrated broader leadership within the law enforcement community by serving as President of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officers Association. He also maintained active involvement with historical preservation, becoming a charter member of the Milwaukee Police Historical Society and later serving on its board as secretary. Similarly, he was active with the Milwaukee Fire Department's Historical Society, contributing to the preservation of these institutions' important histories and traditions.

Frederick retired from the Milwaukee Police Department on April 23, 1996, after 31½ years of distinguished service. Rather than retreating from professional life, he continued applying his expertise by working with General Casualty Insurance Company as an arson investigator for another ten years. This post-retirement work allowed him to remain engaged in his field of expertise while having more time for family and community activities.

Throughout his life, Frederick maintained strong connections to military heritage and veteran communities. After his initial Army service in 1961, he spent decades volunteering at Fort McCoy and was an active member of the Red Arrow VFW. His most significant veteran service role came as National President of the 32nd Division, an organization dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of the historic 32nd Infantry Division, known as the Red Arrow Division.

Frederick's personal life was characterized by deep devotion to family and genuine enjoyment of simple pleasures. His obituary notes that his greatest joy was "simply being present" with family, whether meticulously planning family vacations, cheering at his grandchildren's events, or gathering around the television for Green Bay Packers games. These activities reflected his investment in family unity and his appreciation for shared experiences that strengthened family bonds.

As a social person who cherished friendships, Frederick loved discussing police and military matters, reminiscing about the past, and listening to others share stories about the "good old days". His historical orientation and investment in shared cultural memory positioned him as a respected community member who could connect with others across generations and backgrounds. His life was built on a foundation of faith and family, providing strength that made him a cornerstone for friends and colleagues alike.

Frederick George Haas passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, at the age of 83. He was survived by his beloved wife Lynn, daughters Laura (Dave) Witek and Jennifer (Brian) Baker, grandchildren Ashley, Jordan, Justin (fiancé Kristin), and Morgan, brother Gary Haas (Vicki), and brother-in-law John Kostan. His memorial service was held at Church and Chapel Funeral Home in Waukesha, providing an opportunity for the community to honor his life and celebrate his lasting contributions to law enforcement, professional development, and community service.

Frederick's legacy extends through multiple dimensions: his pioneering work as Milwaukee's first certified arson investigator, his 18 years of leadership in professional training and development, his dedication to preserving law enforcement history, his military and veteran service, and most importantly, his example of integrated service that honored both professional excellence and deep family commitment. His life demonstrated that substantial professional achievement and devoted family life can be successfully combined into a coherent existence of meaning, purpose, and positive impact on one's community.