Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Mike Freeman and Officer Roy Blecher were shot and killed while patrolling together on I-80 in West Sacramento. Their bodies were found after making a traffic stop at approximately 3:00 a.m. Investigators found a sign of a struggle. Officer Blecher was found with his hands handcuffed behind his back and shot once in the head. Officer Freeman had been shot five times. The suspect was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life. He died in prison on April 16, 2016. Officer Freeman had served with the California Highway Patrol for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. Two of his brothers had also served with the California Highway Patrol. In 1994, an elevated portion of Interstate 80, known as the Yolo Causeway, was designated the Blecher-Freeman Memorial Causeway in honor of the fallen officers.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-A621298C- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Freeman gave the California Highway Patrol 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Freeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer William M. "Mike" 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William M. "Mike" Freeman's cause is highlighted.
How William M. "Mike" Freeman Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William M. "Mike" Freeman is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William M. "Mike" Freeman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
