Robert A. Burgess

Cheektowaga Police Department — Cheektowaga, NY

Felonious

End of Watch July 1, 1977

Age 27

The Vigil Panel 118 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Officer Burgess was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man for disorderly conduct in a drug store. Officer Robert Burgess was fatally shot at Sattler’s Drugs Store on William Street by a suspect who had gained control of another officers’ revolver in a struggle and fired six shots, one striking Officer Burgess in the chest. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and attempted murder and sentenced to 8 to 30 years. He was paroled September 19, 1989.

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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Burgess served with the Cheektowaga Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Cheektowaga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Burgess.

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

Agency

Department Cheektowaga Police Department

Location Cheektowaga, NY

Platform Identity cpd.erie.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 1, 1977

Age 27

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Paroled in 1989

Patrol Officer Robert A. Burgess 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 Cheektowaga Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

Cheektowaga Police Department

of 4 officers

75% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious