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Press release from the Cocoa Police Department: We are sad to announce the passing of a long time coworker and friend.
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Longtime Cocoa Police Communications Officer Passes Away
Published on
Sharla Anne Freel
August 7, 1980 – January 3, 2026
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Sharla Anne Freel dedicated many years of her life to public service, working in law enforcement communications with commitment and perseverance. She served the Cocoa Police Department from December 17, 2007, until October 5, 2025, when she relocated to Tennessee to begin a new chapter in her life. Prior to joining Cocoa Police Department, Sharla also served as a Communications Officer with the City of Rockledge Police Department, contributing to the safety and support of the communities she served.
Throughout her career, Sharla remained steadfast in her role within the communications center, showing up day after day for a demanding and often unseen profession. Dispatching requires patience, resilience, and the ability to work as part of a team under pressure, and Sharla was a familiar and constant presence alongside her coworkers for nearly two decades. She worked through long shifts, high-stress situations, and the daily challenges that come with supporting officers and the public, relying on teamwork and shared responsibility within the communications center.
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Sharla believed in supporting her fellow coworkers and being part of a unit that relied on one another. Over the years, her life became deeply intertwined with those she worked beside, and she was part of the collective effort that keeps emergency services functioning. Her dedication to the job reflected her willingness to serve and her commitment to being there when it mattered.
Originally from California, Sharla moved to Brevard County with her parents after graduating from high school. She built her adult life in the area, forming connections through both her career and her personal relationships.
Sharla had a loving and generous heart and would do anything for those she cared about. If she considered you a friend, that bond was lasting. She was a devoted and proud mother to her son, Nate, whom she absolutely adored and who was the center of her world. Sharla found joy in country music, 80’s hair bands, and spending time at Disney World — interests that reflected her fun-loving spirit and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
Sharla’s years of service, her presence within the communications center, and the relationships she built along the way will not be forgotten by those who worked beside her and knew her personally.
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