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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Freedman suffered a fatal heart attack while distributing food carts at the Suffolk County House of Correction.
His partner noticed that he was having a difficult time lifting the carts and he collapsed in the hallway moments later. CPR was initiated immediately and he was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
Deputy Freedman had served with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Freedman gave the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Freedman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Suffolk County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Joseph is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1997, 2 officers in MA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1997, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1997, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joseph was 35. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Joseph was 35. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 35. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 6.8% of these deaths in MA; June holds the most, 18.2%. Fridays: 25%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Suffolk County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Suffolk County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
