Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal William Freeman was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for violating a town ordinance four months earlier.
As he attempted to make the arrest the man opened fire with a shotgun, striking Marshal Freeman in the head. He then shot and wounded another man who had accompanied Marshal Freeman.
Five years later the suspect walked into the Seminole County Jail and gave himself up. On June 2, 1906, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to 99 years. He was pardoned in 1909.
Marshal Freeman had served with the Donalsonville Police Department for approximately three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-20AC4BE2- 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.
Town Marshal Freeman served with the Donalsonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Donalsonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Freeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal William Berry Freeman is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Donalsonville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Berry Freeman's cause is highlighted.
How William Berry Freeman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Berry Freeman is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Berry Freeman was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Donalsonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
