Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Deputy Sheriff Lonnie Lewis Freeman

Richmond Sheriff's Office, Virginia

End of Watch Sunday, September 2, 1984

Leave a Reflection

Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Lonnie Lewis Freeman

God bless you

Nick mottola
None

September 2, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Freeman.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 7, 2020

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 26th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Your death reinforces me the danger and fallacy of minimizing of the mindset that these juvenile offenders are youth to be given consideration because of their age. They are hardened criminals, nothing more and nothing less.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 2, 2010

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

April 7, 2008

Deputy Freeman,

As I visit this memorial page daily, sometimes I read for the first time, details about officers losing their lives at the hands of cowardly acts. I can't imagine the horrible agony you felt as you suffered through your EOW 9-2-84. I hope one day your killer will be brought to justice if not by the judicial system, a much higher power. GOD bless you Deputy Freeman and may you continue to rest in eternal peace my brother.........

The thin blue line keeps getting thinner............

Senior Officer D.W.Reichhardt
VSUPD (Chesterfield, Va.)

September 2, 2006

I honor your memory my brother.

Jim Crotty (former Richmond, VA Police Officer)

Special Agent Jim Crotty
ATF (SA, Retired)

February 24, 2004

I began my law enforcement career in 1995 with the Richmond City SO. I worked the Juvie floor a couple of times. These kids/punks are just as dangerous as adult criminals. Basically, 200lb. 8 year olds. Deputy Freeman's death was a training tool used to drive home the fact that inmates will kill you, plain and simple. I have since moved on in my career to working the streets and now as a Federal officer, but as they say,"never forget your roots." I will never forget how I began my career, working in an environment that is extremely dangerous. It is through the teamwork and tough spirit of Richmond City Deputy Sheriff's that keep control in that facility.

Federal Police Officer,Randall Davis
US Dept. of Commerce POLICE

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.