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William Lynn Freeland
Incident
Location: Pennsylvania Incident Date: Wednesday, August 17, 1921 Weapon: Handgun Offender: Shot and killed
Railroad Policeman William Freeland was shot and fatally wounded in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad yards in Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
He discovered five men trespassing on a flatcar at approximately 1:00 am. When he informed them that they were under arrest one of the men drew a revolver and shot him. Policeman Freeland returned fire and killed the man who shot him. Three of the other men were arrested while the remaining man fled the scene.
Policeman Freeland was taken to University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Policeman Freeland was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, three sisters, and one brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Railroad Policeman Freeland served with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Lynn Freeland served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has lost 22 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1921, 2 officers at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1919, with 3.
In 1921, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
William was 26. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5.
William was 26. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35.
William was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 23.1% of these deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 30.8%.
August holds 8.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 59.1% of all 22 deaths at Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 30.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Thomas Madden Nov 14, 1911
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Elijah Newton Boileau Feb 24, 1915
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Walter Starrett
Dec 24, 1917
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George C. Slavens
Apr 30, 1919
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Alonzo C. Speece Aug 23, 1919
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Lawrance Joseph Beers
Dec 11, 1919
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Benjamin Kohut Apr 15, 1920
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John D. Earle
Oct 5, 1920
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Thomas C. Barnard
Jun 1, 1921
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William Lynn Freeland Aug 18, 1921
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John P. Archer Jan 19, 1922
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Earl Shull
Apr 10, 1922
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John W. Morley Apr 16, 1922
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John W. Foy Apr 29, 1922
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Harry A. Malone Aug 16, 1925
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Urmson Leroy Strayer Jul 8, 1927
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Alfred Knight
Sep 15, 1927
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Horace C. Williams Oct 11, 1930
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Joseph L. O'Brien
Oct 30, 1932
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Lloyd C. Utz Sep 7, 1934
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Albert A. Sutter
Feb 8, 1950
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Dexter B. Snow May 27, 1956
Where
Military Service
William Lynn Freeland served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Lynn Freeland’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
