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Incident
Chief Rau was killed when his service revolver accidentally discharged while he was on duty.
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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Robert is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Rau served with the Florence Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Rau.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Wesley Rau served in the U.S. Army (1966â1969) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Florence Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in KS, 19.7% of the 335 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 1975, 2 officers in KS were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 3.
In 1975, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1975, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
When
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in KS; November holds the most, 13.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Florence Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 19.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, 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
Florence Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Military Service
Robert Wesley Rau served in the U.S. Army (1966–1969) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Wesley Rau’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 50-W
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Florence Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
