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Russell K. Freeman
Incident
Lieutenant Russell Freeman died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak amongst employees and inmates at the Gloria McDonald Women’s Facility.
Lieutenant Freeman had served with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections for 29 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Lieutenant Russell K. Freeman died on December 14, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 52.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 2 at Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp28hhteb0tt0h64scm6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Russell. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Russell is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Lieutenant Freeman gave the Rhode Island Department of Corrections 29 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Freeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Rhode Island Department of Corrections has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Russell is one of 3 officers lost to illness in RI, 5.5% of the 55 remembered there.
Russell is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Russell is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Russell was 52. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Russell had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Russell was 52. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Russell had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
December holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
December holds 9.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Rhode Island Department of Corrections, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.5% of all 55 deaths in RI, the 4th most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Rhode Island Department of Corrections has 5 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Rhode Island Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
