By Niki Doyle
The Huntsville Times
Officer Down: Officer Down: Officer William Eric Freeman
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A legislative committee voted unanimously to give slain Huntsville police officer Eric Freeman the state’s highest law enforcement award, which will be presented today in a ceremony at the capitol.
The committee recently chose Freeman over six other nominees for the Legislative Medal of Honor, an award given annually since 1994 to officers who perform “outstanding or courageous” work, committee Chairman Rep. Howard Sanderford said.
“What they do is truly outstanding,” said Sanderford, a Republican who represents south Huntsville. “If you read these (nominations) over the years ... every day when they go to work, they have no idea what they’ll be getting into.”
Freeman, 36, was shot in the head Dec. 14 while responding to a traffic accident at Weatherly and Bailey Cove roads. He died the next day.
Freeman’s wife, Leslie, and the command staff of the Huntsville Police Department will accept the posthumous award in front of Gov. Bob Riley at the 11 a.m. ceremony in the House of Representatives chambers.
Several officers from Freeman’s precinct will attend, Police Chief Henry Reyes said.
“It’s an honor for the family, but it’s an honor for the officers and the department as well,” Reyes said. “They all feel the pain of losing an officer, and I know they’ll appreciate this.”
The family will be presented with a medal, a ribbon and a resolution that has been approved by the Senate and the House, Sanderford said.
The resolution recognizes Freeman’s commitment to his job, family and community and his “bravery, judgment and leadership” during the incident.
“Officer Freeman’s senseless and tragic death cannot be redeemed, but his courageous and professional action in the line of duty may be honored by recognizing his commitment to law enforcement and his desire to heed the highest calling of a police officer, to serve and protect,” the resolution says.
This is the second time Huntsville police have traveled to Montgomery to watch the presentation of a posthumous medal of honor to one of their officers. Officer Daniel Golden, who was shot in 2005 during a domestic dispute, received it two years ago.
“It’s really unfortunate to be once again accompanying the widow of one of our officers to accept this honor,” Reynolds said. “I’m sure there were many outstanding officers considered for this, but I think they made the right decision.
“There is no higher commitment than making the ultimate sacrifice for your community.”
Copyright 2008 The Huntsville Times