Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Roy Freeman was shot and killed at a lumber camp near Lovelace while investigating a disturbance between two workers.
He had responded to the camp with a deputized citizen after receiving reports that a worker had threatened another with a gun. As they attempted to arrest the man he opened fire on them, killing Deputy Freeman and wounding the citizen. The citizen returned fire and wounded the subject as fled.
The man was arrested a short time later in Wilkes County. He was returned to Lincoln County Jail but forcibly removed by an angry mob and lynched.
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Freeman served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lincolnton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Freeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Roy "Red" 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 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. Roy "Red" Freeman's cause is highlighted.
How Roy "Red" Freeman Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy "Red" Freeman is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy "Red" Freeman was killed by gun; unknown type.