Fred Moritz, known by friends and associates as "Fritz," was born and raised in Columbus, graduating from South High School in 1922. After attending Ohio Wesleyan University, the Ohio State University, and Franklin University Law School, he accepted a position with the Ohio Department of Highways in the traffic division.

Early in his career he showed genuine concern for traffic safety, a talent for administration, and a sound working knowledge of legislative matters. On these strengths, he became the first employee of the Highway Patrol, selected first by Gov. George White to assist O. W. Merrell in setting up the new force.

Sharing in the exciting task of organizing a Highway Patrol, Colonel Moritz also participated as an instructor for the First Academy Class held at Camp Perry on the shores of Lake Erie. Colonel Moritz held the position of assistant superintendent through the 24 years prior to his superintendency. He handled the patrol's administrative and legislative matters, and was the organization's troubleshooter in the areas of finance, statistics, and administrative work. His reputation as a steady and trusted man who rarely lost his temper made him an effective lobbyist in the legislature.

During his term as superintendent, the Highway Patrol conducted research in 1957 to develop an unbiased system which would allow supervisors to evaluate the performance of the officers in their command — the Diagnostic Forced Choice Personnel Evaluation System. This grading method was put into effect in 1958 and became the basis of many such systems throughout the nation.

Colonel Moritz established the Superintendent's Citation of Merit to be given to any officer who participated or assisted in any action or performance of a distinguishing nature. O. W. Merrell Award winners, the division's highest honor for valor, are chosen from those who receive Citations of Merit.

Colonel Moritz will always be remembered as a level-headed, effective administrator who cared deeply for the well-being of his officers as well as the preservation of safety on Ohio's highways.

Col. Moritz succumbed to cancer on July 18, 1959.

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