Home » Santa Clarita News » UPDATE: Santa Clarita Deputy Devin Freeman Dies After Battle With Cancer

UPDATE: Santa Clarita Deputy Devin Freeman Dies After Battle With Cancer

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED  2013-11-28 17:30:11 -0800
If you would like to help the family of Deputy Devin Freeman, there’s a website set up to help the Freeman family.

Deputy Devin Freeman, a Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputy who had been battling cancer for more than six years, died Thursday morning. He was 38.


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The community rallied to support the family of Freeman, who worked as a school resource officer for Sierra Vista Junior High and Canyon High School.Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Deputy Devin Freeman sits next to his wife, Meghan

In the end, he was next to those he loved, according to a statement from his wife, Meghan Freeman.

“He passed in his favorite chair, surrounded in his girls’ blankets, pillows and pictures they have drawn him over the past few months — his mom on one side and I on the other,” the statement read. “He was surrounded by love and his last words to me were, ‘I love you, too.’”

Devin Freeman was well-liked and respected at the station, according to said Deputy Josh Dubin of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

“One thing I am truly thankful for is getting to meet and work with Deputy Devin Freeman,” said Dubin, whose locker was located next to Freeman’s at the station.

“Devin had a great sense of humor — talking with Devin was such a great way to start my shift,” he said. “I am very grateful for those times.”

Freeman is survived by his mother, his wife and three young girls, as well as other family.

Freeman was diagnosed with ocular melanoma February 2007, according to a Facebook page created to support him, called “Freeman Family Fight.”

On April 18, Freeman was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma to the liver.

In response to the diagnosis, the Canyon High and Sierra Vista Junior High communities held their annual powder puff football game in Freeman’s honor, and thousands showed up to support.

“When we got news of his diagnosis, we just wanted to find some way for our two schools to embrace the family and support them through this difficult time,” said Canyon High Principal Mike Kuhlman, at the time of the fundraiser in May.

“He is just a terrific (school resource officer), and just a fantastic human being,” Kuhlman said. “All of us here appreciate working with him and love him as a guy.”

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies also started an annual 10-33 Ride to support Freeman’s family, and those of other law enforcement and emergency personnel in need.

Details were not available regarding Information about a public service or memorial to honor Freeman’s life. This information will be updated in the story as soon as it is.


Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.


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UPDATE: Santa Clarita Deputy Devin Freeman Dies After Battle With Cancer

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About Perry Smith

Perry Smith is a print and broadcast journalist who has won several awards for his focused, hyperlocal community coverage in several different regions of the country. In addition to five years of experience covering the Santa Clarita Valley, Smith, a San Fernando Valley native, has worked in newspapers and news websites in Los Angeles, the Northwest, the Central Valley and the South, before coming to KHTS in 2012. To contact Smith, email him at Perry@hometownstation.com.