Sergeant Harvey A. Freeman S-106
(1941-2025)
Harvey was born on June 23, 1941 to Harvey Albert and Thelma L. (Herbst) Freeman. He attended Western Hills High School, participated on the Bowling Team and in the Business Club, and graduated in June 1959. He also attended Chase College of Commerce in 1960. Harvey continued bowling well into the 1970s with greater than a 600 average and several times bowling 680+ series.
Harvey joined the Cincinnati Police Division as its 52nd Police Cadet on January 11, 1960. Cadet Freeman worked in Central Station (City Jail) and District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). He joined the 41st Recruit Class on January 14, 1963 as a Police Recruit. He was appointed Patrolman on April 22, 1963, issued Badge 146, and assigned to District 2 (314 Broadway). Little more than a year later, he was rotated to District 7 (813 Beecher Street). On February 27, 1966, Patrolman Freeman was assigned to Traffic Bureau (City Hall). On January 25, 1967, Patrolman Freeman found an escaped federal prisoner driving a stolen car at Torrence Road and Columbia Parkway. When he attempted to pull the car over, a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when the driver crashed the car into a train at Front Street and Broadway and Patrolman Freeman made the arrest. During 1972, he competed in two promotional examinations. He finished 9th on the Specialist list and on June 18, 1972, he was promoted to Police Specialist, issued Badge PS-146, and assigned to the Tactical Patrol Section. Two weeks later, he was promoted to Sergeant, issued Badge S-106, and assigned to District 4 (7017 Vine Street). Two months after that, Sergeant Freeman returned to Traffic Section (314 Broadway). On January 6, 1974 he transferred to District 3 (3201 Warsaw Avenue). Sergeant Freeman retired on June 20, 1980 with a deferred retirement and 20 years of service to his community and 15 letters of appreciation and/or commendation.
He went on to the gold and silver trade at three Stamp and Coins stores.
Sergeant Freeman battled Prostate Cancer for years. By the end of July 2025, he was admitted to Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash. He died on August 4, 2025 at the age of 84.
He wis predeceased by his granddaughter, Kimberly Freeman. Sergeant Freeman is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sarah Francis (McGill) Freeman; sons, David Freeman and Jim (Ami) Freeman; granddaughters, Kathleen and Megan; and great-grandchildren, Kiersten, Nora, Ellie, and William.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Spring Grove Funeral Home at 4389 Spring Grove Avenue. An FOP Service will be held at 10:45 a.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. with interment following at Spring Grove Cemetery at 4521 Spring Grove Avenue.
Memorials may be made to The Cincinnati Police Museum or The Shield.
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