Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert Blan was shot and killed with his own weapon during a traffic stop for a faulty headlight at 2:30 am on Pine Street in Oakland. During the stop, he requested backup when he discovered the driver had an expired driver's license. While placing the subject in his patrol vehicle, a struggle ensued. During the struggle, the suspect gained control of Officer Blan's revolver and shot him three times. When his backup officers arrived, they found Officer Blan unconscious with bullet wounds to his chest, leg, and back. The suspects suddenly returned to the scene and attempted to run down the other officers, who opened fire. All of the suspects were apprehended. Officer Blan was transported to Kaiser Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 12 years to life on December 13, 1973, but was released after serving only six years of his sentence. Officer Blan was a United States Army Military Police veteran and had been a member of the Oakland Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-71281ACA- 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 Blan gave the Oakland Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland 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 W. Blan served in the Army (1967â1970) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Robert W. Blan 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert W. Blan's cause is highlighted.
How Robert W. Blan Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert W. Blan is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert W. Blan was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Oakland Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
