Rainier Round-Up Days is a time to come together and celebrate the community, so it only seems natural that former Rainier School Resource Officer Frank Frawley will be the event’s grand marshal.
Frawley’s backstory is that of a public servant, and he transitioned from a seasoned detective to a well-known community-facing officer who left an indelible mark on Rainier.
Frawley’s journey into law enforcement began long before his appointment as the grand marshal. With a career spanning 14 years as a detective in Thurston County, he had seen his share of crime scenes and investigations. During this time, Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza asked him to consider a different role: that of a school resource officer for Rainier.
“After working homicides and shootings, I thought about it and said I’ll give it a shot,” Frawley said. “I’m so glad I did it because it rejuvenated me and gave me a wonderful bookend to my career.”
The role was special and turned into the dual responsibility of safeguarding both schools and the city. The role wasn’t just about protection; it was about building connections.
“I had my own business cards, and those cards and my number spread like wildfire,” Frawley said. “People would be like, ‘I have a question about this,’ and throughout my day, I ended up going to school and places throughout the city like the senior center and daycare.”
As he retired from this assignment, Frawley looked back on his time with pride.
“It turned out to be a great assignment,” he shared, “I left on a high when I retired.”
The honor of being selected as the grand marshal for Rainier Round-Up Days further validated the significance of his contributions.
“I’m honored,” he expressed, “It’s that feeling that you did something right in your career, something great for the community.”
Frawley’s connection to Rainier goes beyond his professional endeavors. Living only five miles from the city, he has been ingrained in its fabric. The city’s gesture of dedicating a paver with his name at the veteran center is a testament to his influence.
Frawley has Texas roots and over a decade of his life spent in military service. He found his connection to western Washington when he was stationed at Fort Lewis back when it was just Fort Lewis.
Frawley’s journey through law enforcement continued after his military service, with a stint as a reserve in Tenino in 1996, ultimately leading to his full-time hire with Thurston County in 2000.
“I’ve been in uniform pretty much my whole adult life,” Frawley said.
Frawley is no stranger the Rainier Round-Up Days parade, having been in it as a boating officer for the Sheriff’s Office.
This time, though, he will be at the front of the parade with his wife, Kristina, and his family instead of just part of it.
“Rainier really appreciates law enforcement, and it really did my heart good,” Frawley said.
Rainier Round Up Days will take place from Thursday, Aug. 24-Saturday, Aug. 26. The Round Up Days parade will take place at 11 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 27.
