California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Friday, December 22, 1978
Add to My HeroesWilliam M. Freeman
Officer William Freeman and Officer Roy Blecher were shot and killed while patrolling together on I-80 in West Sacramento. Their bodies were found after making a traffic stop at approximately 0300 hours. Investigators found a sign of a struggle. Officer Blecher was found with his hands handcuffed behind his back and shot once in the head.
The suspect was eventually apprehended and sentenced to life. He died in prison on April 16, 2016.
Officer Freeman had been with the California Highway Patrol for 12 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
In 1994, an elevated portion of Interstate 80, known as the Yolo Causeway, was designated the Blecher-Freeman Memorial Causeway, in honor of the fallen officers.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 12 years
- Badge 4885
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Died in prison
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Officer Roy P. Blecher
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: December 22, 1978
Most Recent Reflection
View all 26 ReflectionsWorking everyday out of Woodland Area (280) from 1983 to 1997. Upon arriving I got to meet the “brave officers” that continued “to Protect & Serve” the motoring Public… the Officers that stood watch on Area 280 during that “Faithful Day” !
Even though I wasn’t there on that day.. (I was in the Graduation Class CTC 4-79) the Men that were, shared with us the stories of what had occurred and how “Brave” everyone was when they heard what happened that nite
They continued protecting the“ motoring public !”
As a young officer, it gave us a sense of
“Responsibility “… to keep ourselves “ safe” “so we can help the motoring public .
It was an “ Honor to serve the motoring public of the State of California “!
ID # 9369
STO JM Wong
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December 23, 2022
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