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Incident
Lieutenant Lewis Roberts succumbed to a gunshot wound the previous day when he interrupted a robbery at a local grocery store at Prescott Avenue and Olive Street. When one of the suspects ordered him to hand over his money he grabbed the suspect's wrist and began to disarm him, but a second suspect him struck him over the head with a revolver. The first suspect then shot him several times before they both fled. Despite being mortally wounded, Lieutenant Roberts was able to give a description of the suspects to responding officers. Both men were eventually apprehended, convicted of his murder, and subsequently executed in the electric chair on March 5, 1934. Two other suspects were charged in connection with his murder. Lieutenant Roberts was a veteran of the Pennsylvania National Guard and had served with the Scranton Police Department for 22 years.
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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.
Detective Lieutenant Roberts gave the Scranton Police Department 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Scranton 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
Lewis Roberts served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Scranton Police Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Lewis is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lewis is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 3 officers at Scranton Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1933, 8 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lewis was 41. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Scranton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.3 and 40; the middle age was 33.5. Lewis had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Lewis was 41. Of the 585 killed feloniously in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Lewis had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lewis was 41. 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. Lewis had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lewis was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lewis had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at Scranton Police Department; July holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 16.7%.
April holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Scranton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Scranton Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Lewis among them.
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Ellis John Ellis Jan 28, 1889
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George D. Kent Jul 30, 1910
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Charles Berry
Aug 27, 1912
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Lewis William James
Jan 23, 1923
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John Loftus Jul 31, 1927
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Alvin Earl Brant
May 27, 1931
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Lewis Roberts
Apr 2, 1933
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Thomas O'Malley
Jul 3, 1933
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Albert Gleason
Dec 27, 1933
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William W. Harmer
Jan 23, 1937
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John James Wilding
Jul 12, 2015
Where
Military Service
Lewis Roberts served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lewis Roberts’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 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Scranton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
