Robert D. Freeman
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
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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
Service Record
Incident Details
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert D. Freeman's cause is highlighted.
How Robert D. Freeman Compares
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.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert D. Freeman was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
36 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.





