Robert D. Freeman
Agency patch
Federal Prohibition Agent

Robert D. Freeman

Felonious
End of Watch February 8, 1930
Age 33
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Federal Prohibition Agent Robert Freeman succumbed to gunshot wounds received on December 30, 1929, near Yountville, California. Agent Freeman was conducting a raid on a ranch when he began to struggle with the owner as the owner tried to destroy a bottle of liquor. During the struggle, the suspect shot Agent Freeman twice. He succumbed to his wounds two months later. The rancher and the rancher's wife were both arrested in connection with the shooting. On May 23, 1930, the rancher, 58, was convicted of felony assault, sentenced to 10 years in the Federal Penitentiary at McNeil Island, Washington, and fined $1,000. His wife was acquitted. In 1932 the rancher was charged with murder and was to be tried after he served his 10 years. In 1934, the murder charge was dismissed.

Survivors

Agent Freeman was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-CB97AD92
Stewardship
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Federal Prohibition Agent Freeman served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Federal Prohibition Agent Freeman.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdtirsbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 8, 1930
Age 33
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to 10 years

Federal Prohibition Agent Robert D. 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition, 20 of 37 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 54.1% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition
20
of 37 officers
54.1% Felonious
DC — Statewide
754
of 1,419 officers
53.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert D. Freeman's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Robert D. Freeman Compares

Age at End of Watch
33
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 10 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert D. Freeman is highlighted in Feb.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert D. Freeman was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518