Incident
Detective Gilbert Silvia was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle with a broken out window near 16th Street and Corcoran Street, NW. He was working a plainclothes assignment at the time. As he approached the vehicle he discovered that it was occupied. At the same moment the man inside opened fire, striking Detective Silvia in the stomach. He succumbed to his injuries two days later. Detective Silvia was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-6F396430- 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 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 Silvia gave the Metropolitan Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington 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
Gilbert Moral Silvia served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Detective Gilbert Moral Silvia 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 53.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gilbert Moral Silvia's cause is highlighted.
How Gilbert Moral Silvia Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gilbert Moral Silvia is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gilbert Moral Silvia was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Gilbert Moral Silvia served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gilbert Moral Silvia’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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