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Robert J. Cambias Jr.
Agency patch
Patrolman

Robert J. Cambias Jr.

New Orleans Police Department — New Orleans, LA
Felonious
United States flag Louisiana flag
End of Watch October 18, 1907
Age 22
Tour of Duty 11 mo
The Vigil Panel 53 · Column 2 · Line 4 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Department 127

Incident

Patrolman Robert Cambias was killed when his throat was cut on Allen Street, in the area of New Orleans Street and Prieur Street. While responding to a disturbance on Allen Street where a 20-year-old male was assaulted by someone with a knife, Patrolman Cambias and three other officers entered a house that was the meeting place for a group of activists called the "Council of God." The meeting was attended by approximately 20 men. The officers approached with revolvers drawn and asked for the perpetrator of the assault to step forward. The lights went out and gunfire ensued. Officer Cambias was overpowered by three men who dragged him outside to the sidewalk, where his throat was slashed. Patrolman Ernest Wenck was stabbed, Sergeant Joseph Wheatley and Corporal James Dunn both received gunshot wounds, but the three officers were able to escape the building safely. Neighbors who saw the injured officers and the dying policeman on the sidewalk called for additional police support. When reinforcements arrived, the house was surrounded. The standoff lasted for about three hours until finally 10 people were taken into custody and transported to jail. Patrolman Cambias died on the sidewalk where he fell. The other three officers recovered from their injuries. Three suspects were held for the slaying of Patrolman Cambias. One died in jail from lockjaw after refusing treatment for a gunshot wound to his right foot. The other two went to trial and were convicted of murder. They were both hanged on October 23rd, 1908. Patrolman Cambias' grandfather, Patrolman James Crofton, was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 4th, 1869, while serving with the New Orleans Police Department. Patrolman Cambias had served with the New Orleans Police Department for less than a year. He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister. He is buried at Saint Vincent de Paul Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish in Louisiana.

Survivors

He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Cambias served with the New Orleans Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cambias.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New Orleans Police Department
Type Police Department
Location New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA
Platform Identity nopd.orleans.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 18, 1907
Tour of Duty 11 mo
Age 22
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 22. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New Orleans Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Robert J. Cambias Jr.

New Orleans Police Department · End of Watch October 18, 1907

Where the Name Is Cut

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