Incident
Policeman Joseph Freshman was shot and killed after a man tried to rob him as he walked his post. Policeman Freshman was walking his post when a man approached him and attempted to rob him at gunpoint. At first the suspect did not realize that he was robbing a police officer due to the poor lighting condition, but when he realized he was robbing an officer, he opened fire, killing Policeman Freshman. A subject was arrested but was later released due to insufficient evidence. Policeman Freshman had served with the Butte Police Department for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-6HKX-KY4Z-Qearlier record number BO-US-MT-80BBA841- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Freshman served with the Butte Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Butte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Freshman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Butte Police Department has lost 14 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1906, 1 officer at Butte Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 2.
In 1906, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 52. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Butte Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 52; the middle age was 39. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Joseph was 52. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 52. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 52. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Butte Police Department; March holds the most, 20%. Sundays: 20%.
September holds 6.5% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 14 deaths at Butte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Butte Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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William F. Jordan Jun 24, 1892
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Dennis W. Daly Jul 4, 1894
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Frederick Kranbeck Jan 15, 1895
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Fred A. Parlin Mar 18, 1896
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Joseph A. Freshman
Sep 23, 1906
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Ivan W. Lincoln Mar 30, 1915
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James H. Pace Jul 27, 1915
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Bart J. McCarthy Jul 22, 1916
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William George Heaney Nov 22, 1918
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Dennis Joseph Murphy
Feb 18, 1919
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Joseph E. Sage Apr 8, 1925
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Jeremiah Joseph Murphy Sep 20, 1935
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Thomas J. O'Neill
Dec 25, 1935
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Nicholas Aleksich Feb 28, 1937
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Butte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

