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Trooper

Robert E. Coyle

New Jersey State Police — West Trenton, NJ

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch December 18, 1924

Age 26

Tour of Duty 8 mo

Badge 238

The Vigil Panel 112 · Column 2 · Line 14 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 83

Incident

Trooper Robert Coyle was shot and killed in Somerset County as he and another trooper escorted a payroll robbery suspect to the Pluckemin Substation for questioning. The two troopers sat in the front seat, leaving the suspect unattended in the back seat. While driving along the highway near Chimney Rock, adjacent to Bound Brook in Somerset County, the suspect suddenly shouted: “Hands Up!” Trooper Coyle, riding in the passenger seat, turned and drew his service weapon. The suspect fired a blank directly into Trooper Coyle’s face. The prisoner then wrestled Trooper Coyle’s revolver from him and fired two shots into his back. Trooper Coyle died immediately. The suspect was able to disarm the other trooper and escaped, sparking a massive manhunt. He was later apprehended, confessed to the crime, and executed. Trooper Coyle was a United States Army WWI veteran who had served with the New Jersey State Police for eight months and previously served with the Pennsylvania State Police.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and two brothers.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Coyle served with the New Jersey State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Jersey, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department New Jersey State Police

Type State Police

Location West Trenton, NJ

Platform Identity njsp.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 18, 1924

Tour of Duty 8 mo

Age 26

Badge Number 238

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Military Service

Robert E. Coyle served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

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.

Compare against

Time

In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Robert was 26. 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 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded