HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville police on Sunday marked the 17th anniversary of the passing of Officer William Eric Freeman, honoring him in a post to social media.
Freeman died on Dec. 15, 2007, from a gunshot wound sustained during a call the previous evening. Freeman, who had served with the Huntsville Police Department for three years, was fatally shot while responding to an automobile accident on Bailey Cove Road near Weatherly Road.
The incident occurred around 8:45 pm on Dec. 14, when Freeman and his partner, Officer Kevin Lambert, arrived at the accident scene and found one of the involved individuals sitting on a curb. They tried to arrest the subject for driving under the influence and attempted to help him to his feet.
That's when the man, who had a concealed firearm in an arm sling, shot Freeman at close range, striking him in the face. Lambert, with the help of bystanders, was able to subdue the shooter.
Freeman was rushed to a local hospital but died the following morning. The shooter was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
The Huntsville Police Department shared the following on Sunday:
REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN
HPD Officer Eric Freeman - End of Watch: Dec. 15, 2007
We honor Officer Eric Freeman, who served HPD for three years. On Dec. 14, 2007, he was shot while responding to a traffic crash and tragically passed away from his injuries the next morning.
