Roll of Honor
Robert Joseph Betanzos
Incident
Officer Betanzos succumbed to injuries sustained one week earlier when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while directing traffic at the city's waterfront following 4th of July activities. A vehicle that was waiting in traffic sped around the stopped vehicles and into the intersection of Renwick Street and Water Street, striking Officer Betanzos. The suspect continued to flee at high speed. He was taken into custody after striking two additional cars and injuring 10 people. Officer Betanzos was transported to a local hospital and then transferred to St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York. He remained at St. Francis Hospital until succumbing to his injuries. The suspect was charged with second degree manslaughter. Officer Betanzos had served with the agency for just under 3 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-FDEAAF08- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Robert is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Betanzos gave the Newburgh City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newburgh community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Betanzos.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Joseph Betanzos served in the U.S. Navy (1967â1971) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Robert Joseph Betanzos 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Newburgh City Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Joseph Betanzos's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Joseph Betanzos Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Joseph Betanzos is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Joseph Betanzos was killed by automobile.
Military Service
Robert Joseph Betanzos served in the U.S. Navy (1967–1971) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Joseph Betanzos’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Newburgh City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
