Robert W. Anderson
Agency patch
Sergeant

Robert W. Anderson

Newark Police Division — Newark, NJ
Felonious
End of Watch March 5, 1930
Age 34
Tour of Duty 10 yrs 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Robert Anderson was shot and killed as he and two other officers attempted to arrest two men who were brandishing handguns on Barclay Street at 1:30 a.m. The officers had received reports of the men's actions and went to investigate. When they arrived at the scene, they learned that the men had gone into a nearby apartment. When the officers entered the apartment, one of the suspects attempted to grab his gun as Sergeant Anderson struggled with him. The suspect broke free and began firing as he ran to a back room. Sergeant Anderson was struck in the chest but was able to return fire, wounding the suspect. A second suspect ran into the room but was shot and killed by one of the other officers. The original suspect continued to fire as he attempted to flee but was shot several times by the officers and taken into custody. Sergeant Anderson was transported to the hospital where he died on the operating table. Sergeant Anderson had served with the Newark Police Division for 10.5 years and was assigned to the Fourth Precinct Station.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-53E60E4E
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.
Sergeant Anderson gave the Newark Police Division 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Anderson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Newark, NJ
Platform Identity npdpd.essex.nj.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 5, 1930
Tour of Duty 10 yrs 6 mo
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Sergeant Robert W. Anderson 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 NJ, 229 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.4% of this state's fallen. That is 35.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Newark Police Division, 28 of 58 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.

Newark Police Division
28
of 58 officers
48.3% Felonious
NJ — Statewide
229
of 646 officers
35.4% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert W. Anderson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Robert W. Anderson Compares

Age at Death
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
10.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert W. Anderson is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert W. Anderson was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location