Incident
Officer Robert Wirht was killed in a motorcycle accident while pursuing a suspect.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Wirht served with the San Jose Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Wirht.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Lee Wirht served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1962â1968) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 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 1988, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1988, 14 officers in CA were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 43. Of the 5 lost to accidents at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 39; the middle age was 38.
Robert was 43. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35.
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 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.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department; January holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 20%.
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 12.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 20% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 7.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Military Service
Robert Lee Wirht served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1962–1968) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Lee Wirht’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 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.











