Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Robert Bilodeau was shot and killed while investigating suspicious behavior. Officer Bilodeau and his partner were on patrol when they observed a group of men acting suspiciously. The officers observed one of the men adjusting what they thought was a gun in his waistband. When they exited their unmarked car to investigate, the suspect fled on foot down an alleyway. Officer Bilodeau pursued the suspect and was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire. The suspect, 21, who was wounded in the exchange, was arrested by an officer of the Mount Vernon, New York, Police Department when he arrived at a hospital for treatment. He was charged with murder and convicted after a trial. On January 30, 1981, the suspect was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He was paroled on January 21, 2021. In April of 1979, Officer Bilodeau was working as a decoy cop, dressed as a derelict in Times Square when a man attacked him with a knife, slashing his throat. The suspect was apprehended and sent to prison. Officer Bilodeau was a United States Army veteran who had served with New York City Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-EE9B0D1C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Police Officer Bilodeau gave the New York City Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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
Robert J. Bilodeau served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Robert J. Bilodeau is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Bilodeau's cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Bilodeau Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 2021
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Bilodeau is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Bilodeau was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
