Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Beard was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at the Alleghany Institute, which became the Burrell Memorial Hospital and the current Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Burrell Center. During the arrest, the suspect asked Patrolman Beard if he could get his coat from a closet. When he stepped into the closet, he produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Beard. The killer fled the scene but was later apprehended and hung for the murder. Patrolman Beard was a veteran of the Roanoke City Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-FC22C4E7- 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.
Patrolman Beard served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Beard.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert M. Beard 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 VA, 394 of 656 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.1% of this state's fallen. That is 60.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Roanoke City Police Department, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert M. Beard's cause is highlighted.
How Robert M. Beard Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert M. Beard is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert M. Beard was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Roanoke City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
