Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lord, I ask for courage;
Courage to face and conquer my own fears...
Courage to take me where others will not go.
I ask for strength;
Strength of body to protect others...
Strength of spirit to lead others.
I ask dedication;
Dedication to my job to do it well...
Dedication to my community to keep it safe.
Give me, Lord, concern;
For all those who trust me...
And compassion for those who need me
And, please, Lord, through it all; be at my side.

Lt. James Compton, Retired (AL)
Member, Blue Knights, Virginia II

January 8, 2021

Eric tonight we mourn the loss of yet another HPD brother 8 days shy of the 12 year anniversary of your senseless loss. As always you and all the other brothers and sisters in blue will not be forgotten.

Ryan
MFR

December 7, 2019

Ten days from now will be the 12th anniversary of your death. Tonight another HPD Officer gained his wings. I’m sure you welcomed him home already. So many memories came flooding back of the night you were shot.
Tonight I’m praying for the family who is beginning the journey that your family had walked for the last 12 years. I’m praying for Cameron. I can’t imagine what he is feeling right now. Im praying for all of the HPD officers and their families! You haven’t been forgotten and this Officer won’t be either!

Sgt. Wife

December 6, 2019

We lost another brother tonight, Eric. Welcome him home.

Rebecca
HPD

December 6, 2019

Son of fallen HPD officer graduates from police academy
WHNT News 19 Dec. 14, 2028

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A newly sworn-in Huntsville Police Department officer will continue the work of his father, who was killed in the line of duty.

Among the officers graduating from the academy Friday morning was Cameron Freeman, the son of fallen Officer Eric Freeman. Cameron became an officer on the 11-year anniversary of his father’s shooting.

Eric Freeman responded to a traffic accident at Bailey Cove and Weatherly roads on Dec. 14, 2007. He was shot by one of the people involved in the wreck and died the next day. Freeman’s killer is serving a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole.

Members of Freeman’s Members of Freeman’s squad joined Cameron and Eric’s widow, Leslie, this week at the memorial in front of the Huntsville Police Department.

“Most have moved on to other divisions of the department or retired since Eric’s death but remember the sacrifice he gave and wanted to show support for Cameron,” the police department said in a Facebook post.

Police Officer- Retired
New York City Police Department

December 14, 2018

I don’t visit this page nearly enough....Hell I haven’t been back to your gravesite since the day we buried you. For that I’m sorry. The pain from that night still lingers. I live with it everyday and I’m scared I won’t be strong enough to handle that much at once if I go. Christ I don’t even go to the south end of town for that very reason unless I have to. I miss you brother. It gets harder each day without you. I keep you with me always and your family in my thoughts. I’ll do my best to look after Cameron when he graduates the academy, we all will. I’m sorry brother.

- - -
HPD

October 19, 2018

You would be very proud of your son Cameron. He is in the police academy now and is following your foot steps. God speed brother. We will all keep him safe while you have your hand on his shoulder.

Officer N Hall
Sheffield Police Dept

September 20, 2018

You aren't forgotten.

Friend
HPD

December 6, 2017

Every now and then something pops up that gets me to thinking and I find myself here. Its crazy how things have changed. Every now and then the notion pops into my head that I want to get back into law enforcement, then I think better of it. I miss the job and at the same time I don't.

In all honesty I was probably never really right for the job, no matter how much I wanted to be. You live, you learn, you move on, but you never forget. It brings up an entire set of emotions that many people will never understand. There are so many good memories and so many bad.

I'm not a religious person, but I do not doubt that we all have a purpose in this life. Sometimes it takes us a while to figure it out, and sometimes we take the wrong path to get to it. But sometimes that wrong path introduces us to awesome people like you. I'm glad to have known you, glad to have worked with you, and glad to have had you as a friend.

Rest easy.

Hogan
46th Session

September 22, 2016

It's coming up on eight years since you left this earth. I still remember that night like it was yesterday. I was sitting in my couch holding my ten month old son when the news broke. I remember sitting there with tears streaming down my face. The next day we were on the way to the hospital when we received the word that you had left this earth. My heart still breaks for your wife, kids, family and friends.

Sgt. Wife

December 2, 2014

I am truly sorry about what happen to Officer Freeman. My deep condolence to the department and to the family. No family should ever go through something so heartbreaking. HE MAY BE GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. PAIN END.

Betsy Garcia
student at MHHS

May 8, 2014

It has been several years now. I am not in law enforcement anymore but, my heart is still there. Just want to let you know that we are always thinking about you and our other fallen brother's and sister's. You in perticular have touched many lives. I was a cop longer then you but, I don't believe that I touched near as many lives as you did.

I remember your family and HPD brothers every day. You are gone but, will never be forgotten.

Beard
GPD

April 27, 2014

A POLICEMAN’S PRAYER - Teach me that sixty minutes make an hour, sixteen ounces a pound, and one hundred cents a dollar. Help me so to live that I can lay down at night with a clear conscience, without a gun under my pillow, and unhaunted by the faces of those to whom I have brought pain. Grant that I may earn my meal ticket on the square, and in earning it I may do unto others as I would have others do unto me. Deafen me to the jingle of tainted money and to the rustle of unholy skirts. Blind me to the faults of other fellow, but reveal to me my own. Guide me so that each night when I look across the dinner table at my family, who have been a blessing to me, I shall have nothing to conceal. Keep me young enough to laugh with little children, and sympathetic enough to be considerate of old age. And when comes the day of darkening shades and the smell of flowers, the tread of soft footsteps and the crunching wheels in the yard, make the ceremony short and the epitaph simple – “Here lays a man.” --Unknown

John D. Hall, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Ret'd
United States Marshal Service 1971-1998

February 21, 2013

Knew his daughter. He will never be forgotten. His children are some of the most wonderful people I know.

Anonymous

January 18, 2013

ERIC WAS A HAPPY GO LUCKY GUY ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IN HIGHSCHOOL

BLAINE SHANNON
HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND

December 15, 2012

It's been 5 years, it's crazy. I was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan for my first time and then thought would be my last time also. We planned for me to come and by HPD by your side. I miss you man. I stayed in the military after this though and made the best of everything I can. I am in flight school as a Warrant Officer now. Maybe one day I will fly helicopters back home and fight the fight there. For now I will continue to fight the war across the seas. You will always be on my mind

WO1 Clark, Shaun
US Army Aviator/ Friend

December 14, 2012

My best friend knew him very well. As a matter of fact, she's his daughter. I didn't know him but after all the great things that I hear about him, I feel like I know him VERY well! One of his other sons, Cameron, is like my brother. And if Mr.Eric was alive today, the one thing I would tell him was that he has at least two WONDERFUL children!

Anonymous
Anonymous

November 22, 2012

As I sit here thinking you and Daniel came into my mind, my heart still aces and the tears still flow. We all still remember and it iis hard to loose our BROTHERS IN BLUE but we know that you are walking the streets of Heaven wirh all of our Brothers and Sisters in Blue with your Heads hanging high. See you all soon my Brothers.

Retired Investugator H.Lowery
Huntsville Police Dept.

October 22, 2012

Eric,

I miss you so much today has just been one of the bad one's so I just wanted to say Hi I love you and miss.

Nana
Mother

August 22, 2012

The policeman stood and faced his god, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining just as brightly as his brass. 

"step forward now, policeman, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church, have you been true?" 

The policeman squared his shoulders and said "No, lord, I guess I ain't because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint  I've had to work most Sunday's and at times my talk was rough and sometimes I've been violent, because the streets are awful tough. But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills got to steep. 
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears   I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear. If you have a place for me here, lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you dont.....I'll understand. 

There was a silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod. As the policeman waited quietly for judgment of his god. 

"step forward now, Policeman, you've borne your burdens well  come walk a beat on Heavens streets. You've dome your time in HELL" 

RIP my brother

Officer S. Hopkins
Huntsville PD

July 27, 2012

Well I am getting ready to order another batch of your shirts. Wish me luck that it goes smoother than five years ago. Officers have worn their shirts out and need new ones.

Officer Jonathan Sallis
Huntsville Police Department
Huntsville, AL.

July 11, 2012

We never met but I still remember what I was doing when I heard the news...it would be years before I put in for the Academy but I'm finally on the streets now. I think about you and Daniel everyday while Im putting on my uniform. I know this job meant something to you and I try going to work everyday to improve myself. I thank you for your service. You keep me safe every shift...

Officer
HPD

April 8, 2012

Happy Birthday Eric! We love and Miss You!!

Jessica Mullins
Friend

January 31, 2012

Well it's been a minute since we were hanging out at The Exxon store after roll call. I can still remember the fun though. This time of year is never easy knowing you can't be home. The guys are getting together tonight as we have every year since you left to have a drink for you. So, get back to work in heaven and we will see you soon.

Sallis
HPD

Officer Jonathan Sallis
Huntsville PD

December 15, 2011

Eric,
Its been rough not having you here with us. The kids are holding up well in spite of missing you all the time. I am so thankfull that you wanted us to raise them and told us enough times to make sure we knew you were serious. While I won't be able to fill your shoes or be the great father you were I promise I will keep you alive in all our hearts and do what I can to honor you and your brother officers.

C L Duck
1st father in law

December 14, 2011