Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer David Roberts was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle wanted in an armed robbery. While he was using his radio one of the suspects jumped from the vehicle and shot through the patrol car's windshield, striking Officer Roberts in the neck. As Officer Roberts attempted to exit his patrol car through the passenger door the suspect ran to the car and shot him three more times in the back. The suspect was later apprehended after a manhunt. He was convicted of capital murder and subsequently executed in 1997. Officer Roberts was survived by his wife and son. He had served with the Paris Police Department for two years.
Survivors
Officer Roberts was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-A8B194C7- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Roberts gave the Paris Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer David Wilburn Roberts is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Paris Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Wilburn Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How David Wilburn Roberts Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Wilburn Roberts is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Wilburn Roberts was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Paris Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
