Fred hoped he could one day be promoted all the way to ______, just as his father and grandfather had before him.

The correct term is "sergeant," which is the proper spelling for a rank in law enforcement. This rank typically signifies a supervisory position, and it's common for individuals in law enforcement careers to aspire to rise through the ranks based on family tradition, as suggested in the context of Fred's hopes for promotion.

The other options presented contain various misspellings of the word "sergeant." Each alternative fails to adhere to the correct spelling and therefore would not be considered an acceptable answer in a professional or academic context. When writing about ranks and titles, accuracy in spelling is essential, especially in documents related to law enforcement, where attention to detail can be critical.