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Incident
Patrolman Robert Edmonds succumbed to injuries sustained on December 3rd, 1936, earlier when his patrol car collided with a tree on the Blue Hills Parkway, near Audubon Road, in Milton. He and his partner were pursuing a stolen automobile when the crash occurred. Both officers were taken to Milton where Patrolman Edmonds succumbed to his injuries on December 23rd, 1936. Patrolman Edmonds was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWI and a recipient of the Croix de Guerre. He had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 17 years and was assigned to the Blue Hills Station. He was survived by his wife, five daughters, mother, and sister. He is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Boston.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five daughters, mother, and sister.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Robert is one person.
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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.
Patrolman Edmonds gave the Metropolitan Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert A. Edmonds served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Metropolitan Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 1 officer at Metropolitan Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1936, 1 officer in MA was lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1936, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1936, 97 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 43. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Metropolitan Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Metropolitan Police Department; October holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.5% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Wednesdays: 15.8%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Metropolitan Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Metropolitan Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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William Mateer
Jan 10, 1909
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John W. Powers
Aug 16, 1912
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Robert D. Stewart
Feb 8, 1913
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Irving B. Harding
Oct 11, 1918
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Frederick G. Mercer
Sep 20, 1923
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Thomas Joseph Sullivan
Oct 5, 1929
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Robert A. Edmonds
Dec 23, 1936
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Paul Michael Kennefick
Jul 14, 1982
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Robert P. Dana
Mar 25, 1984
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Joseph Elmer McCain
Oct 22, 2001
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Harold J. Collins
May 31, 2012
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Harold Francis MacGilvray, Jr.
Oct 11, 2018
Where
Military Service
Robert A. Edmonds served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert A. Edmonds’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
