Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Freeman was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to an automobile accident on Bailey Cove Road, near Weatherly Road, at approximately 8:45 pm. When they arrived at the scene they located one of the subjects sitting on a curb.
As they approached the subject and attempted to arrest him for DUI, the man produced a handgun and shot Officer Freeman in the face. The other officer, with the help of two bystanders, was able to subdue the suspect and take him into custody. The suspect was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Freemen was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the following morning.
Officer Freeman had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 3 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-A7909719- 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.
Police Officer Freeman gave the Huntsville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Freeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Eric 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Huntsville Police Department, 7 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Eric Freeman's cause is highlighted.
How William Eric Freeman Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentence to life in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Eric Freeman is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Eric Freeman was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Huntsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
