William "Buddy" Franklin

“Buddy” as he was most well-known, was born in Norwich, CT on Aug. 10, 1942 to the late Amasa and Rita (Peloquin) Franklin. He attended N.F.A. and enlisted in the US Navy, serving aboard the USS Franklin Roosevelt from 1959 until his Honorable Discharge in 1963. He served as a Norwich Police Officer from 1965 until his retirement in 1989. He spent ten years working in security at both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casino. His retirement years led him to sunny Las Vegas where he enjoyed a fun security detail at the Enterprise Library.

While he was an avid UCONN Huskies fan, his greatest joy and love in his life was his family, particularly his children and grandchildren.

Buddy leaves four beautiful daughters: Deborah Franklin Dembecki, Darlene Franklin Williamson, Jillian Ranae Franklin, Sara Marie Franklin; 3 grandsons: Dakota and Dylan Williamson and Quinn Dembecki; brother Joseph Franklin, and his loving former wife Nancy Franklin.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec 19th from 6pm – 8pm at Church & Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 20th at 10am at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich, CT, meeting directly at church. Military Honors to be rendered immediately following the Mass. Burial will be private for the family.

Donations in Buddy’s memory may be made to the Norwich Policemen’s Benevolent Association Post #2, c/o Norwich Police Dept., 70 Thames St., Norwich, CT 06360.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.churchandallen.com

POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL

Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,

who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises

of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional

eyes on your earthly force.

Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for

investigation and wise judgement.

Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and

law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores,

strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.

You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences

with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not

always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so

pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the

devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.

And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your

heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the

throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all

the people. Amen.

A POLICE OFFICER'S PRAYER

Lord I ask for courage

Courage to face and

Conquer my own fears...

Courage to take me

Where others will not go...

I ask for strength

Strength of body to protect others

And strength of spirit to lead others...

I ask for dedication

Dedication to my job, to do it well

Dedication to my community

To keep it safe...

Give me Lord, concern

For others who trust me

And compassion for those who need me...

And please Lord

Through it all

Be at my side...

--Author Unknown