Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To the Family of Officer Freeman and the Entire HUNTSVILLE PD:

My sincere heartfelt sorrow goes out to you. I am a fellow dispatcher for Madison CO. and wife of a retired Alabama State Trooper.

I have been on the other end of the radio when the heart stopping words "officer down" were spoken. I lost a fellow co-worker and can tell you I understand what that dispatcher felt Friday night when those words came over the radio. You did nothing wrong, you did everything in your power for Eric. I have cried tears and said prayers for you. Keep up the great work. You are the officers eyes, ears on every call you send them on. I know sometimes the call takers and dispatchers are not given the "at a boys" they deserve but I give you mine tonight. Please keep up the great job you do. May God be with you through this difficult time.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Sherri Clark
Former Madison Co Dispatcher
Wife of Retired Alabama State Trooper

Sherri Clark
Wife of Retired AL State Trooper

December 16, 2007

Rest in peace brother,your family will be in our prayers.

Just Reward

The police officer stood and faced his Maker, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, police officer how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To your Maker, have you been true?"
The policer officer, with squared shoulders, said "No sir, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry badges Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got to steep.
And I never passed by cry for help though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, please 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 there fears.
But if you have a place for me here, well... it need not be grand.
I never expected or had too much so if you don't... I'll understand."
There was silence all around the room where the saints respectfully stood.
As the police officer waited quietly, for the judgement... bad or good.
"Step forward now, police officer, you've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Gerald Welder
former Deputy Sheriff

formmer Deputy Sheriff Gerald Welder
Harrison County Sheriff's Dept

December 16, 2007

It is a tragic time for your family, friends, and brothers in blue. We are keeping you and your family in our prayers during this time. This was a senseless act made toward someone that great things have been written.

Rest in Peace

Officer and Wife
Albertville Police Department

December 16, 2007

Eric, I was looking at my phone today to make a call and saw your number. It still doesn't feel real, I know it is and I will miss talking to you. You will be in my prayers forever as will your family. Thanks for being there whenever I needed your help! Rest in Peace, brother.

Terry Lucas
Huntsville Police / Friend

December 16, 2007

May you rest in peace brother. Your service appreciated, I will continue to pray for your department and your family. R.I.P

Justin Powell
Morgan County Sheriffs Office

December 16, 2007

I am so sorry to hear of another loss. I cannot even begin to feel or understand the huge loss to a community and a family. Love your babies and see him in them. Be strong for them, but know it is ok to cry. Call on your family and your law enforcement family. May god be with you and give you strength. RIP Eric and god bless.

Lori
California Highway Patrol....Wife

December 16, 2007

Although I never knew Eric, my heart breaks for those who did. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as well as all is brothers with HPD, who were just not ready for this to happen again. Rest in peace Officer Freeman.

Dispatcher-Julie Stinson
Madison County Sheriff

December 16, 2007

If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane.
I would walk right up to Heaven
and bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say "Goodbye".
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness,
and secret tears still flow.
What it meant to love you -
No one can ever know.

But now I know you want me
to mourn for you no more;
To remember all the happy times
life still has much in store.

Since you'll never be forgotten,
I pledge to you today~
A hollowed place within my heart
is where you'll always stay.

December 16, 2007

Words cannot express the sadness in my heart for your family’s loss. May God bless you, your wife and children and may the arms of your brothers in law enforcement embrace your loved ones in this time of sadness. We, your brothers in law enforcement, will continue on, rest easy.

TKC Special Agent
FBI

December 16, 2007

Eric,
You the best friend that I ever had and the greatest father that I had ever seen. You will live on in the lives of your children and we all know that you are here watching over us. You died doing what you loved almost as much as you loved your children. There is no denying that you are loved by many and missed by all. We love you so much and will never forget the impact that you made not only on my life but everyone that you came into contact with.

Jessica Hill

December 16, 2007

I did not know you,though my husband and you had past and talked few times. I am deeply sorrowed by what has happened to you. My prayers will be with your wife and 5 children. I know you will keep other officers in your site. May God Bless you and your family.

Alicia Lueras
New POS Wife HPD

December 16, 2007

I NEVER MEET YOU.BUT MY HEART HURNTS .MY GOD BE WE YOUR FAMILY.MY PRAY,S ARE WE ALL. GOD BLESS.SCOTT CLAXTON ATHENS AL.

SCOTT CLAXTON

December 16, 2007

Eric,
After 18 years of knowing you and watching you become a husband father and eventually a police officer (your life long dream).

Your loss is and will always be like a hard punch in the gut to me.

I don't have the words to express what I am feeling.

I love you and will miss you till I meet you in Heaven.

Love
C.L.

C.L. Duck
father in law

December 16, 2007

Brother Freeman thank you for your service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice by protecting those that couldnt protect themselves. To your wife and children I will pray for them to make it through this tough time. They will have your memory and you will live in their hearts forever.

This has been a tough year for us as a profession. We buried two of our brothers back in April and I still feel the pain everyday. To your brothers and sisters at the Huntsville PD, keep your heads up and let Brother Freeman live on through your work. You have to keep his memory alive by doing what we do best. Back each other up and stay safe.

Officer A. Riddle
Charlotte Mecklenburg PD

December 16, 2007

46th Session... "Came as many, left as One"

I sit here tonight in the office at the funeral home in front of this computer reading these pages of reflections. You are laying in rest in the next room. I wanted to guard you. I don't know how to react. All my co-workers are helping and I love them for that support. I am trying to support them. This is so hard; tears are coming down my face. I keep thinking of all the memories we had in academy, so many to mention. When you would key up on west side and 10-69 or 10-71, you loved being a Police Officer. I keep thinking of when we went to eat at chick-fa-la on Whitesburg during in-service training and you talked about work, your new business and your family and how I need to get me some children. My wife is taking this hard too. I don't know how to comfort her except spend as much time as I can with her. I laugh every time I think about how you would always be going so fast on your thoughts. When we went to burger king on Redstone that day during firearms training and you were talking to you wife and bragging about all the things we were doing that day. So many memories... You don't realize how important the people you meet in life are to you until it's too late.

I miss you brother... you are forever in my life and heart
46th session forever

Officer B. Adams
Huntsville Police Dept.

December 16, 2007

My heart is full and goes out to the family and friends of Officer Freeman. I pray that God helps his family to get through these dark days. His service to his community was impactive and lasting. He will never be forgotten as a hero, a man who gave all.

Maggie Funderburk
resident of Huntsville

December 16, 2007

God Bless You and Your Family during this most difficult time. Our prayers are with you.

Chaplain Jim Taylor
Fresno County Sheriff's Department

December 16, 2007

Officer Freemen: I honor your service. True hero's never die and you will alwas be remembered as one who gave his all. Rest now as our brothers and sisters will take the watch.

Retired Officer
Rochester MN PD

December 16, 2007

May God Bless You,
And All Of Your Family,
Sir, Your Time And Service Will Not Be For Gotten Thank You For Protecting The One's That Couldn't Protect Themselves. And For Going That Extra Mile Rest In Peace...

Kentucky State Ranger

December 16, 2007

Rest easy brother. We will take it from here. ALWAYS KNOW THAT HEROES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN.

PO S.Harris #376
Cicero PD Cicero,Il Gang Crimes Unit

December 16, 2007

God Bless you officer Freemman it is people like you who makes us safe may God keep your family safe!!!

tw

December 16, 2007

God Speed Brother...Your great sacrifice will not be forgotten and you shall forever serve as a guiding light to all law enforcement.

Corporal John McMahon
Utah Highway Patrol

December 16, 2007

Rest in peace Eric...my prayers are with HPD and your family.

I don't remember much about you but we went to school together; I graduated from Hazel Green High in 1990. I don't remember much about you but judging from all the wonderful reflections left by your friends I'm sure you were a great guy.

Officer Donald W West
Traffic Division
Fayetteville, NC Police Dept

Officer Donald W West
Fayetteville, NC Police Dept

December 16, 2007

I feel so bad. I feel so helpless. Every minute I sit here the pain gets worse and worse. I sit here and look at your picture, and it seems like a bad nightmare. I never expected to see you on here, or anyone I know for that matter. And now twice in two years, a shocking reminder of how dangerous our job really is. I miss you Eric. I will prepare my uniform the same way I did 2 years ago. With care, respect, and professionalism. And now I will drape my badge again. It seems like its getting more and more frequent that I read of another Officer somewhere. Will the pain ever stop? When will people realize that we have families to? When will they realize that we have undertaken a heavy burden, and we didn't choose this career lightly. Go rest now, you deserved it. I will continue to pray for you, and carry in my heart and on my badge everyday.

Mrs. Freeman,
Eric is a fine Officer. I couldn't ask for someone better on nights I needed backup. I enjoyed every minute I worked with him, and I will truely miss him. I will continue to pray for you and your family. I pray that God will place his hand on your shoulder in comfort and let you know that Eric is in heaven, and has taken another oath. The oath to watch over you, your family, and every Law Enforcement Officer in the world, and guide them on the streets at night.

December 16, 2007

"I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." - A. Lincoln

Jim Chamberlain

December 16, 2007