United States Department of the Treasury - Internal Revenue Service - Bureau of Prohibition, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, February 8, 1930
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 29, 1929
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years
Federal Prohibition Agent Robert Freeman succumbed to gunshot wounds received on December 30, 1929, near Yountville, California. Agent Freeman was conducting a raid on a ranch when he began to struggle with the owner as the owner tried to destroy a bottle of liquor. During the struggle the suspect shot Agent Freeman twice.
He succumbed to his wounds two months later. The rancher and the rancher's wife were both arrested in connection with the shooting.
On May 23, 1930, the rancher, 58, was convicted of felony assault, sentenced to 10 years in the Federal Penitentiary at McNeil Island, Washington, and fined $1,000. His wife was acquitted. In 1932 the rancher was charged with murder and was to be tried after he served his 10 years. In 1934 the murder charge was dismissed.
Agent Freeman was survived by his wife and son.