Deputy Sheriff James Oren Freeman
Saline County Sheriff's Department
Missouri
End of Watch: Sunday, May 23, 1948

Biographical Info
Age: 47
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, May 23, 1948
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Deputy Freeman was shot and killed by a man who was trying to break his girlfriend out of the state school in Marshall, Missouri. The man had been on a robbery spree over the previous week, having robbed businesses in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago.

Following the robberies in St. Louis, the suspect boarded a bus to Marshall where he intended to carry out his plan regarding his girlfriend. The suspect was recognized as a former patient and the staff noticed that he had a revolver in his waist band. The staff called the sheriff's department and Deputy Freeman responded to the scene. When he arrived at the scene, a struggle ensued over control of the suspect's gun. Deputy Freeman was shot twice and a dentist at the school was shot once. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Freeman was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. The suspect fled to Kansas City where he was arrested.