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Incident
Officer Frees was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a domestic disturbance call at 53 Mount Avenue in Wyandanch.
Both officers were shot as they exited their patrol car. Officer Frees' partner survived the shooting, but Officer Frees succumbed to his wounds.
The suspect was killed at the scene of the shooting after the house was set on fire.
Officer Frees had served with the Suffolk County Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Frees gave the Suffolk County Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Yaphank community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Frees.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Suffolk County Police Department has lost 27 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 1 officer at Suffolk County Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 23 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 28. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Suffolk County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 43.5; the middle age was 41. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
George was 28. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
George was 28. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 28.6% of these deaths at Suffolk County Police Department; February holds the most, 28.6%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
April holds 6.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25.9% of all 27 deaths at Suffolk County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Suffolk County Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, George among them.
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John J. Nolan
Apr 17, 1960
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Vincent DeVivo
Oct 28, 1962
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Carmelo A. Cattano
May 30, 1963
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George McMullen
Apr 24, 1969
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George A. Frees
Apr 6, 1971
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Albert A. Willetts
Jun 3, 1971
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Frank D. Cataldo
Nov 3, 1971
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William DeRosa
Jan 31, 1976
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Jack Burkhardt, Sr.
Mar 15, 1977
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Ralph Sorli
Aug 14, 1977
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Carmine Michael Macchia
Jun 15, 1978
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Lawrence Devine
Aug 22, 1981
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Dennis John Wustenhoff
Feb 15, 1990
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John Jantzen
Apr 21, 1991
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James Hutchens
Jul 2, 1992
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Henry J. Stewart
Jul 11, 1992
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John J. Venus
Nov 20, 1994
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Timothy J. Henck
Aug 6, 1995
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Edwin Hernandez
Jul 27, 2004
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Glen L. Ciano
Feb 22, 2009
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Craig L. Capolino
Jan 30, 2013
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James Thomas Farrell
Dec 1, 2017
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Dennis Wallace Reichardt
Oct 4, 2018
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Stephen John Mullen
Dec 7, 2018
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Robert John Van Zeyl
Jan 20, 2021
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Thomas Patrick Compitello
Dec 16, 2022
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Robert John Kirwan
Sep 23, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Suffolk County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
