William Eric Freeman, a 36-year-old Caucasian male, was a dedicated police officer with the Huntsville Police Department for three years. His life was tragically cut short in the line of duty on December 15, 2007, a day after being shot while responding to a call. On the evening of December 14, 2007, Officer Freeman and his partner, Officer Kevin Lambert, arrived at the scene of an automobile accident at the intersection of Bailey Cove Road and Weatherly Road.
There they found one of the individuals involved in the crash sitting on a curb.
As the officers attempted to arrest the man for driving under the influence and assist him to his feet, the situation took a violent turn. The suspect, who had a firearm concealed in an arm sling, drew the weapon and shot Officer Freeman at close range, striking him in the face. Despite the immediate danger, Officer Lambert, with the help of two bystanders, managed to subdue the shooter and take him into custody. Officer Freeman was rushed to Huntsville Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
The man responsible for the fatal shooting was identified as Kenneth Shipp. Following his arrest, Shipp was charged with the murder of Officer William Eric Freeman. He was later convicted of capital murder. During the sentencing phase of his trial, the jury recommended a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole by a vote of 9 to 3. The judge upheld the jury's recommendation, and Kenneth Shipp was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Officer Freeman.
William Eric Freeman was remembered as a respected and admired officer whose lifelong dream was to serve in law enforcement. He was also a husband and a father to five children. His death was a significant loss to his family, the Huntsville Police Department, and the community he served. In the years following his death, Officer Freeman's sacrifice has been honored through memorials and remembrances by the Huntsville Police Department. His son, Cameron, has since followed in his father's footsteps and joined the same police precinct.
