Obituary of Herbert Franklin Freeman

Herbert Franklin Freeman May 27, 1930 - March 12, 2011 Herbert Franklin Freeman, 80, of La Porte passed away Saturday, March 12, 2011. He was born May 27, 1930 in Friday, Texas to Herbert Franklin Freeman, Sr. and Bertie Lee Bagwell Freeman. Herby began dreaming of becoming a policeman during his freshman year at Robert E. Lee High School. After graduation he worked as a gas station attendant until age 21, when he was able to join the Baytown Police Department. According to Herby, there wasn’t any training available back then – “you just put on your uniform and went to work” – and work he did. During his time as patrolman, Herby attended training at Texas A&M University, and through his hard work and dedication, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and then to Assistant Chief a year later. During his time as Assistant Chief, Herby was 1 of 52 officers in the state of Texas selected and given a scholarship to attend training at the Institute of Law Enforcement in Dallas, TX. In December 1959, Herby resigned from the Baytown Police Department and in January 1960, owned and operated a Gulf service station on Hwy 146. Because of his love for law enforcement, he sold out in September 1960 to join the Harris County Deputy Sheriff’s Department. He worked for Harris County until July 1961 when he accepted the job as Chief of the La Porte Police Department, a small force consisting of only 5 employees. By the end of 1963, the department had grown and was moved to new quarters on South 2nd Street. A sign soon appeared naming the new jail “Herby’s Hilton” because prisoners “could bask in air-conditioned comfort”. In December 1965, Herby received a gold badge with a diamond in the center, “as a token of appreciation for all that he and the department had done for the merchants, businessmen, and citizens of La Porte”. Over the next years, the department continued to grow, and a new Police Administration building was constructed at 915 South 8th. Before retiring in July 1985, Herby heard a resolution read during a special La Porte City Council Meeting naming the police administration building the Herbert F. Freeman Jr. Police Administration Building in honor of his years of dedication and service. Herby was a 40-year Master Mason of the La Porte Masonic Lodge #857, and also a lifetime member of the Texas Municipal Police Association. Herby is preceded in death by his parents, and wife of 60 years, Nelda Ann Shannon Freeman. He is survived by sons Terry Freeman and wife Suzzi of Baytown, Wayne Freeman and wife Becky of La Porte, grandchildren Bryan Freeman, Steven Freeman and wife Sherry, Jason Freeman and wife Holly, Kevin Freeman and wife Kim, Schaun Freeman and wife Courtney, Joshua Freeman, Wade Greathouse and wife Kim, Paula Inman, Christian Greathouse, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2011 from 6-8PM at Paul U. Lee La Porte Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 1 PM at the First Baptist Church in La Porte.