James M. Freeman

Gadsden County Sheriff's Office — Quincy, FL

Felonious

End of Watch January 12, 1918

Age 29

The Vigil Panel 33 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy Freeman was shot and killed during an escape from the county jail at Quincy. At about 7:30 pm, Deputy Freeman was taking a prisoner to the jail when he was ambushed by another prisoner. The prisoner had gotten out of his cell when a trustee found the cell key. He attacked the deputy with a piece of facing taken from a window, hitting him twice over the head. After being struck, the deputy fired twice, missing his attacker and yelling at the same time, possible to attract attention. After a scuffle, the prisoner got his weapon and shot him twice. Other people arrived and one man was left with the deputy while others went to get the sheriff and weapons. The prisoner then appeared and ordered the lone man out of his way and made his escape. He was later caught, convicted, and executed by hanging.

Survivors

Deputy Freeman was survived by his parents and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-16834929
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.
Deputy Sheriff Freeman served with the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Quincy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Freeman.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Gadsden County Sheriff's Office

Location Quincy, FL

Platform Identity gcso.gadsden.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 12, 1918

Age 29

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Blunt object

Offender Executed

Deputy Sheriff James M. 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Gadsden County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Gadsden County Sheriff's Office

of 6 officers

66.7% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious