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Robert Dennis Edwards
Incident
Police Officer Robert Edwards was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a local hospital to assist his partner with a prisoner around 10:00 a.m. The two had arrested a woman following a disturbance and placed her in the back of a patrol car. The woman started banging her head on the inside of the car, causing injuries to herself. Officer Edwards' partner transported her to the hospital as Officer Edwards waited for a tow truck for the prisoner's car. When another officer arrived to take over, Officer Edwards responded to the hospital to assist his partner. As he entered an intersection, another car turned left in front of 3617 South Dixie Highway, causing a collision that knocked Officer Edwards' patrol car into a concrete light pole. Officer Edwards was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran who had served with the West Palm Beach Police Department for four years and previously served with the Chesapeake (Virginia) Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four children, brother, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Edwards gave the West Palm Beach Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Palm Beach 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 Dennis Edwards served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
West Palm Beach Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 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 1984, 1 officer at West Palm Beach Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 5 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 34. Of the 5 lost to accidents at West Palm Beach Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 35; the middle age was 34. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Robert was 34. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 34. 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 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 34. 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 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 20% of these deaths at West Palm Beach Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Saturdays: 40%.
January holds 7.6% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at West Palm Beach Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, 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
West Palm Beach Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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William Morgan Payton
Feb 9, 1924
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Jack Grace Wadlington
Mar 31, 1935
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Lewis Allen Conner
Aug 7, 1937
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Festus Alvah Tatum, Jr.
Mar 28, 1959
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Clarence Leo Wagner
Feb 10, 1967
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William Harold Fletcher
Apr 6, 1967
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David Richard Van Curler
Apr 6, 1967
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Robert Dennis Edwards
Jan 21, 1984
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Brian Heywood Chappell
Aug 22, 1988
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Thomas Joseph Morash
Oct 17, 2003
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Robert Alan Williams
Aug 16, 2021
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Anthony Christopher Testa
Sep 25, 2021
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Jeremy Boykins
Sep 10, 2024
Where
Military Service
Robert Dennis Edwards served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Dennis Edwards’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 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from West Palm Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
