I met Tim while we were working at 3M never knowing that we lived at the same complex at Parker apartments. Two apartments away from each other. That was 1969. I told Tim that when the police test came up for our town I was going to take it. He got very interested himself. We drove down together to take the test. We ended up numbers one and two on the borough list. We both got hired August 1, 1970.
When I got on the force, I got injured a few times, housefires and such and Tim would always drive my wife Judy to the hospital to see me.
I also remember the shooting range. It was always between Tim, Bill Burlew, Gary Clark and myself to win the trophy. A lot of competition. Also a lot of fun.
Tim also was very proud of his marching band that he played in and the stadiums they played in. It meant a lot to him.
I’ll never forget how Tim couldn’t wait to get home to see his two little girls. Freehold Boro was a very dangerous town in the early 70’s. Tim and I worked different shifts, but we always told each other what went down while we were working.
Freehold has lost a lot of great cops over the last few years. There are only a few officers left from when we got on in 1970. I’m so sorry that we lost Tim. He was a great police officer and a great friend.
My heart goes out to his family especially to his two daughters. God bless. Ken Collins.
