Frank James Connelly

Frank James Connelly, Jr., 59, of Carlsbad, New Mexico; formerly from Seattle, WA passed October 10, 2011 at home on West Thomas after a valiant 16-month battle against Multiple Myeloma cancer. Frank was born in Spokane, Washington on September 24, 1952 to Frank James Connelly and Bernita Jane Golly. At age 6, the family relocated to the Washington Kitsap Peninsula. He held a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice from Central Washington University and a J.D. degree, cum laude, from Seattle University. Frank began his career in public safety in 1974 in South Kitsap County, WA as a fire department dispatcher and later served for several years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher in Bremerton. He was also a certified EMT and mobile intensive care unit paramedic and worked for an ambulance service in Tacoma. His interest changed to law enforcement when he began serving as a reserve deputy sheriff for Kitsap County and he became a police officer and later a detective for the City of Port Orchard having been the top academic graduate in his academy class. While in law school, Frank was a Legal and Legislative Intern for the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and he also worked as a municipal intern prosecutor for the City of Bremerton. In 1988, Frank became a police officer for the Kent, WA Police Department and due to his background, he was detailed to serve as the primary instructor of criminal law and procedure at the Washington Basic Law Enforcement Academy. He was an Executive Board member and two-term President for the Kent Police Officer Association. Frank promoted to Patrol Sergeant and later became the Department's Training Manager. He also was the Vice-Chair for the Highline Community College Advisory Committee until he retired from Kent PD in 2005. Frank also maintained a professional practice as a consultant and expert witness for police legal issues. His clients included plaintiffs and defendants in several states. A highlight of his work was his live testimony on Court TV covering a high profile trial. Frank was retained by the City of Olympia, WA Mayor and City Council as the City's independent police internal affairs auditor. Specializing in police legal issues, he was also an adjunct legal instructor for Northwestern University teaching courses throughout the country for its School of Police Staff and Command. His practice also included consultations, estate planning, contracts and counsel for several non-profit organizations. In June 2006, Frank applied his unique combination of legal academic expertise and practical hands-on field experience as an instructor and legal technical expert for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico. Frank was an active member of the Washington State Bar Association since 1987. He was a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Training; the International Association of Chiefs of Police; American Mensa, Ltd.; the NRA; Carlsbad Elks; The Humane Society of the United States and since 1971 was a life member of the American Radio Relay League. Frank enjoyed puttering around his home; connecting with fellow ham radio enthusiasts (he held an amateur radio Extra Class FCC license as W7ND); collecting transistor radios and restoring vintage radios; riding his BMW motorcycle and taking camping trips with his motorcycle buds. Frank will be remembered for his intellect, generosity, integrity and the pride he took in his work. Everywhere he worked he was a research and information hound and he quickly became the "go to" guy for answers and solutions. He was a dedicated legal instructor; a good provider, valued his long-term friendships and was a wonderful cat Daddy. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his favorite uncle and aunt, Ray and Vera Golly; cousins Mark and David Golly; his first cat, Leia, 19; and his wife's cat, Buddy, 13. He is survived by his wife Marilyn and their two cats, Shelly and Lakota Kate of the family home; sister Kathy Keenan and Richard of Snohomish, WA; cousin Peter Golly and wife; Kristie Atkins of Woodinville, WA; and cousins Sharon Scott of Leawood, KS; Nancy Ralston of Westwood Hills, KS; and Diane Lowe and John of Braddock, Heights, MD. A memorial service in Carlsbad will be held at the Church Street Church of the Nazarene 2315 West Church Street on Sunday November 6, 2011 at 2:00 o'clock. Pastor Bill Proulx will officiate. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. The Washington State memorial service will be held at the Kent Nazarene Church on Saturday November 12, 2011 at 2:00 o'clock. Kent Police Department Chaplain Pat Ellis will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carlsbad Cat's Meow Trap, Neuter and Return program or the donor's choice of a local animal shelter. National Animal Shelter Appreciation week is November 6th through the 12th.