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Robert W. Gates Sr.
Incident
Chief of Police Robert Gates suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating a prowler call at a residence.
He had been on duty at the township fire department for the annual fair when he was notified of a prowler at a home across the street. He collapsed as he searched the house.
Chief Gates was a United States marine Corps WWII and Korean War veteran. He had served with the East Pikeland Township Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Chief of Police Gates gave the East Pikeland Township Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kimberton community. Thank you 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 W. Gates Sr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Robert is the only officer of East Pikeland Township Police Department remembered here.
Robert is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 4 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1975, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1975, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Robert was 60. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Robert was 60. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Robert was 60. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 7.6% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 15.3%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at East Pikeland Township Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Military Service
Robert W. Gates Sr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert W. Gates Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from East Pikeland Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.