Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal George Freeman was shot and killed by two brothers who held a grudge against him.
The subject alleged that the marshal killed their brother a year earlier. Both brothers were arrested.
The shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years. On April 6, 1886, he was pardoned by Governor J. Proctor Knott. Governor Knott said there was evidence proving the jury was corrupt.
Town Marshal Freeman was a Civil War veteran assigned to an Indiana Regiment.
He is buried in Versailles Cemetery, Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-3D3145E6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Town Marshal Freeman gave the Versailles Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Versailles 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
George Freeman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Town Marshal George Freeman is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Freeman's cause is highlighted.
How George Freeman Compares
Offender Outcome
Pardoned in 1886
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Freeman is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Freeman was killed by gun; unknown type.