Incident
Patrolman Avery Freeman succumbed to complications of a surgery required after injuring his knee while on duty.
On March 31, 2012, he and another officer had arrested a female subject at the scene of a domestic disturbance. As Patrolman Freeman walked back to his patrol car he slipped on wet, moss-covered bricks and fell, injuring both knees. The injuries were severe enough that surgery was required. As he recovered from the surgery at the Taylor Rehabilitation Center he suffered a fatal pulmonary embolism.
Patrolman Freeman had served in law enforcement for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his four children, mother, and siblings.
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.
Patrolman Freeman gave the Chester City Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chester community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Freeman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Chester City Police Department has lost 17 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Avery is one of 121 officers lost to illness in PA, 9.6% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Avery is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Avery is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2012, 1 officer in PA was lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 66.
In 2012, 17 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 21st heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2012, 20 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 20th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Avery was 49. Of the 121 lost to illness in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 50; the middle age was 39. Avery had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 9.4 years.
Avery was 49. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Avery had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Avery was 49. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Avery had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
April holds 5% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 49.6%. Mondays: 14.9%.
April holds 6.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
April holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 11.8% of all 17 deaths at Chester City Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 9.6% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Chester City Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Avery among them.
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Mark W. Allen, Jr.
Feb 1, 1902
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James M. McDade Dec 1, 1903
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William Bell Apr 19, 1917
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William H. Padgett Aug 28, 1917
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Francis E. Kowalski
Dec 16, 1929
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Ellery Bertram Purnsley
Nov 6, 1948
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Michael Neal Carter
Nov 8, 1974
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John T. Lewis
Jul 17, 1986
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Lawrence John Fiorelli
Aug 7, 1986
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Robert John Boyle, Sr.
Mar 28, 1988
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William Payton Hamilton, Jr.
Feb 2, 1989
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Michael James Joyce
Feb 1, 1993
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Connie Smith Hawkins
Jul 1, 1993
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Thomas Owen Pilkington
Aug 13, 1993
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Michael Douglas Beverly
Oct 16, 2001
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Avery E. Freeman
Apr 30, 2012
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Robert Lee Walker
May 2, 2017
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Chester City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.












