David Arlington Freeman

Born July 1st, 1943, to Jessie E. and Eugene C. Freeman. David (Dave) lived in various cities all across America from Massachusetts to Alaska due to his father’s work as a contractor. David, like many other boomers, was a surprise baby. His mother was 42 years old and he had three sisters (Helen, Sheila and Barbara) and a brother (Eugene) already in their teens and twenties. He was cherished by all as a gift from God.

David was in his early teens when he discovered his passion for riding motorcycles. A passion that would have a major impact on him throughout his life.

David was living in Albuquerque, NM when he tested out of High School early by obtaining his GED so he could join the Army at 17 years old. David originally wanted to become a paratrooper but was denied due to his many previous broken bones from his motorcycle spills. He then opted to join the Engineer Corps with aspirations of operating a bulldozer. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get a bulldozer assignment but was able to get assigned to a road grader which he enthusiastically taught himself how to operate. During his military commitment he was stationed in Fort Lewis Washington and had the opportunity to visit Europe on a five-month training deployment.

David exited the military in 1963 out of Washington state and, shortly thereafter, moved to Las Vegas, NV where most of his family was living. David then obtained a job with Ronzone’s ,the premier department store at the time, as a salesman and part-time model for their weekly publication. While working at Ronzone’s he met his future wife Eileen who was working in the administration offices. They were married in Las Vegas in 1965 at St. Bridget Roman Catholic Church. That same year David applied for the Clark County Sheriff's Office and became a Deputy Sheriff. They had their first child (Suzanne) in 1966 and their second child (David) in 1968.

David loved police work as if he was born to it and to no one’s surprise, he quickly obtained a spot on the motorcycle unit. David remained a Traffic Officer in the Sheriff’s Department until they merged with the City Police Department to form LVMPD in 1973 and he was promoted to Sergeant shortly thereafter. David’s first years as Sergeant were spent at the McCarran International Airport and, as soon as he could, he transferred back to the Traffic Unit where he spent the rest of his career. David would go on to spend 26 years of a 31-year career on a motorcycle.

David took full advantage of his time as a Traffic Sergeant. For a time, he led the motorcycle officer training and recertification program. He developed and organized the motorcycle competition portion of the Annual Police Olympics. He spent countless hours researching and field-testing different brands of motorcycles and successfully lobbied the department to purchase a fleet of Kawasaki KZ-1000P motorcycles. He developed and organized an annual FCPO (Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers) Father/Son deep sea fishing trip. He conceived and implemented the TARGET DUI program working closely with STOP DUI to reduce DUI fatalities within the community. He believed the Sergeants in the department were being underserved by their union and started a campaign to lead them into the PMSA (Police Managers and Supervisors Association). He would later serve as one of the first, two sergeant representatives of that union.

David was just as passionate with his endeavors outside the Police Department. He was very active in his Catholic faith and served as a Eucharistic Minister as well as being a major contributor to the growth of four of the local parishes. He loved hunting and fishing and went on countless motorcycle trips as a charter member of the Blue Knights motorcycle club. He loved surrounding himself with his family by frequently hosting dinners and parties and he made many trips to New England to visit extended family and study early American History.

David retired from the LVMPD in 1996 and shortly thereafter went to work as a Federal Marshal at the Foley Federal Building. He worked there for several more years until he fully retired in 2003. David spent his remaining years tending to his family and friends and traveling extensively with his wife on cruise ships and in their several RV’s.

David is survived by his wife Eileen C. Freeman and his two children: Suzanne Freeman Belt-Spurlock (husband Andy Spurlock), David E. Freeman (wife Tina K. Freeman); five grandchildren Cameron Belt (wife Amber Belt), David A. Freeman (wife Sarah Freeman), Spencer Freeman (wife Salina Freeman), Bradley Freeman, Steven Spurlock; step-granddaughter Sabrina Spulock and three great granddaughters Ellie Freeman (7), Scarlett Freeman (5) and Lyanna Freeman (2).

David is preceded in death by his parents Eugene C. Freeman and Jessie E. Freeman; sisters Helen Smith, Sheila Head and Barbara Soberinsky; and brother Eugene Freeman.

There will be a viewing at Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery on Thursday October 19th from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral services will be on Friday, October 20th at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church at 11:30am, with a dedicated mass at noon followed by graveside service with honors at Palm Northwest Mortuary and Cemetery. The services will be followed by a celebration of life gathering.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for the Freeman family during this difficult time.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Freeman family.