Keith Frank Tiedemann, a 32-year Baltimore Police Department veteran who served as security director for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the Baltimore Jewish Council, passed away last Saturday, Jan. 13, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air.
An Abingdon resident, he was 69.
“Keith was truly a guardian of our community,” said BJC Executive Director Howard Libit. “He built such valuable relationships with law enforcement, rabbis, community leaders and so many others. Whenever there was a concern, he was immediately responsive. His work over the years helped so many institutions secure critical security grants from the federal and state governments. As security concerns increased over the years, Keith was instrumental in developing plans to ensure safety — not just for The Associated and our agencies, but for synagogues, schools and other institutions. He will truly be missed.”
Tiedemann was born in New Jersey to Frank and Rina (Gardina) Tiedemann. “I originally went to college to become an accountant,” he said in an online article published by The Associated. “My grandfather was an accountant, my father was a math teacher and an engineer. Yet I realized, once I took a few math courses, they just weren’t that interesting to me. I decided to take some criminal justice courses, and here I am. “
After struggling to find a position on a police force in northern New Jersey, Tiedemann attended a job fair in the Garden State and was recruited by the Baltimore Police Department. “I applied, they called, and I was accepted into the Baltimore Police Academy,” he said.
He joined the BPD in 1977 and was promoted to the rank of major in 2004.
In June of 2009, Tiedmann retired from the BPD. Over the course of his law enforcement career, he served as director of the BPD’s Internal Investigation Division, commander of the Northwestern District and director of the Organized Crime Division. He was also a member of the DEA Task Force.
Shortly after leaving the BPD, Tiedemann came to work for The Associated and the BJC. He oversaw security operations at all Associated-related facilities and worked closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the local Jewish community during the High Holiday season and other times of the year.
He also helped local Jewish facilities and organizations obtain Department of Homeland Security grants, and conducted security assessments as a part of the process. In November of 2019, Tiedemann was honored by the Northwest Citizens Patrol group at its 37th anniversary reception for his dedication and service to the community.
“Over the years, we’ve expanded our work to provide security assessments, emergency plans and assistance with security grant applications to go beyond support of The Associated — to now include synagogues, day schools and Jewish organizations across the state from the Eastern Shore to Western Maryland,” he said. “Baltimore was part of a pilot for the national [Secure Community Network] Emergency Alert System. When we started, I think I had 14-15 people on our list. Today, that list is near 300. … The bulk of what I do is providing security assessments to more than 100 Jewish facilities across the state.”
Although not Jewish, Tiedemann said he thoroughly enjoyed working with Northwest Baltimore’s Jewish community. “I had never been in the Northwest until I started working in the Northwestern District later in my police career,” he said. “It was amazing. The people were really nice and what was incredible to me, they actually had solutions!”
Tiedemann was a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Perryville, the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization, the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Police.
In a post, the local patrol group Shomrim wrote, “We extend our deepest condolences to Major Tiedemann’s family, colleagues and friend. May his memory be for a blessing. … Major ‘T’ had a lasting impact on our entire community and the lives of so many Baltimore residents! His legacy will not be forgotten.”
In his spare time, Tiedemann was an avid fisherman, boater, gardener, gun range enthusiast and power walker.
In addition to his wife Nancy (Colucci) Tiedemann., he is survived by his daughter, Kerrie Lorena Tiedemann, his son Keith (Allison) Michael Tiedemann; and granddaughters Tessa Tiedemann and Sienna Tiedemann.
He is also survived by his sister Lynn (Frank) Borelli, nieces Jessica Fennelly and Lauren (Kevin) Scesa, nephews Frankie Borelli and Nicholas Borelli, and great-nephew Little Frankie Borelli. In addition, he is survived by his dogs, Mugzy and Deputy.
Funeral services will be held next Thursday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. at Good Shepard Catholic Church, 800 Aiken Avenue in Perryville. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. at the McComas Family Funeral Home, 1317 Cokesbury Road in Abington.
Contributions in Tiedemann’s memory may be sent to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, 2490 Giles Rd, Baltimore, Maryland 21225.
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