Daniel Herrick

The Forks, Maine

Daniel Carl Herrick passed away at the age of 68 at the camp he shared with his wife Melissa on Moxie Lake in The Forks, Maine. Dan fought to the end but passed peacefully surrounded by family after a three year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dan was born on March 3, 1956 in Fort Kent, Maine to parents Theodore Locke Herrick and Barbara Butt Herrick. During his childhood, his family moved in Maine to Gardiner then to Presque Isle then to Dover-Foxcroft. He graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1974.  Dan received his associate's degree from University of Maine at Bangor in 1976 and also graduated from Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1978.

During his middle school years Dan played the tuba with his brother in the band. He went on to play the trumpet in High School, but decided to try out for football his senior year. He was awarded “most improved” defensive player and became well known for sacking the quarterback while playing for Foxcroft Academy Ponies.

Dan knew in his teen years that his calling was to become a police officer. During his high school years he participated in the Boy Scouts Explorers Law Enforcement program in Dover-Foxcroft, riding with Piscataquis Sheriff’s Office and dispatching calls for deputies. After graduation in 1974 Dan was hired as a part-time deputy and worked for Dover-Foxcroft Police Department. In 1976 Dan moved to Bar Harbor where he worked his way up the ranks which included working as a canine officer with German shepherd “Raymond” and being chief of police for six years. In 1994 he joined the Bangor Police Department. He became the well-recognized "motorcycle cop" and fully enjoyed his work engaging with the public and professionally serving the city. Dan worked in law enforcement for a total of 38.5 years with dedication, strength, fairness, integrity and humor.

Throughout his life Dan held a passion for horses, training and riding them as a teenager in the U.S. Pony Club. His first horse was a Shetland pony named “Merri-legs” when he was ten years old. He competed and showed much larger horses during his teen years, working for a horse farm in Abbott Maine, competing at dressage, cross country and stadium jumping events throughout New England. He even attended a horse polo camp one summer. While living in Bar Harbor he was part owner of a beautiful horse named “Bo Jangles” who Dan dearly loved. 

In addition to his career job in law enforcement, in 1991 Dan started a second job as manager at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf in Bar Harbor. It was there that he could interact with the public in a fun and relaxing way which helped him to cope with the stress and sadness often encountered while on duty. He was known affectionately by all as "Pirate Dan" and left an impression on kids and adults alike who were lucky enough to interact with him and perhaps get to hear his famous spiel when he gave out pirate treasure and gold coins.

Later in life Dan found a passion for flying. He earned his pilot's license then his instrument rating and became part owner of a Piper Cherokee 4-seater airplane. He used this plane to fly over 150 “Angel Flight” missions, where he gave rides to patients and their families from remote areas in Maine to medical treatments all over the northeast. Dan was truly compassionate and interested in every patient he flew. His generosity shined through as he donated his flight time, fuel and humor to the patients and their families. 

Dan married Candace (Lawson) in 1980 and raised two children in Bar Harbor. He tried to impart to his kids his way of approaching life with a sense of humor and fun. Dan married Melissa (Howes) in 2011. He retired from law enforcement in 2012 and from Pirate's Cove management in 2018. In 2012 he and Missy retired to Englewood, Florida spending the summer months at their camp on Moxie Lake in northwestern Maine. Together they enjoyed traveling, camping, mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, and skiing. Dan especially loved playing pickleball. In 2021, Dan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which metastasized to his liver. He fought valiantly with great strength and determination with Missy as his warrior but eventually after three years his body could take no more.

Dan was predeceased by his parents Theodore and Barbara. He is survived by his wife Melissa "Missy" of Englewood FL and The Forks ME, his daughter Courtney and husband Richard of Dover UK, his son Trevor and wife Tina of Mount Desert ME, four granddaughters Pippa, Freya, Isla, Everly and one grandson Max, sister Susan McVetty and husband Alfred of Guildhall VT, brother John of South Pasadena FL, brother David and wife Jean of Rockland ME, brother Donald and partner Jeanne Calhoun of San Jose CA, identical twin brother Darrell and wife Marilyn of Bushnell FL, brother-in-law James Howes and wife Tamara, plus many nieces and nephews.

Dan was a pirate, a pilot, an angel, an officer, a father, a husband, and a friend. He was loved dearly by family, loved and respected by friends and all who knew him for his fun-loving and compassionate ways.

A “celebration of life” is planned in Maine during the summer of 2025.

In place of flowers, donations can be made in Dan's honor to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at the link https://pancan.org/honormemorial-gifts/   

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