Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Cambias was killed when his throat was cut on Allen Street, in the area of New Orleans Street and Prieur Street. While responding to a disturbance on Allen Street where a 20-year-old male was assaulted by someone with a knife, Patrolman Cambias and three other officers entered a house that was the meeting place for a group of activists called the "Council of God." The meeting was attended by approximately 20 men. The officers approached with revolvers drawn and asked for the perpetrator of the assault to step forward. The lights went out and gunfire ensued. Officer Cambias was overpowered by three men who dragged him outside to the sidewalk, where his throat was slashed. Patrolman Ernest Wenck was stabbed, Sergeant Joseph Wheatley and Corporal James Dunn both received gunshot wounds, but the three officers were able to escape the building safely. Neighbors who saw the injured officers and the dying policeman on the sidewalk called for additional police support. When reinforcements arrived, the house was surrounded. The standoff lasted for about three hours until finally 10 people were taken into custody and transported to jail. Patrolman Cambias died on the sidewalk where he fell. The other three officers recovered from their injuries. Three suspects were held for the slaying of Patrolman Cambias. One died in jail from lockjaw after refusing treatment for a gunshot wound to his right foot. The other two went to trial and were convicted of murder. They were both hanged on October 23rd, 1908. Patrolman Cambias' grandfather, Patrolman James Crofton, was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 4th, 1869, while serving with the New Orleans Police Department. Patrolman Cambias had served with the New Orleans Police Department for less than a year. He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister. He is buried at Saint Vincent de Paul Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish in Louisiana.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-LA-EB485ACF- 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 Cambias served with the New Orleans Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cambias.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert J. Cambias Jr. 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Cambias Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Cambias Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Cambias Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Cambias Jr. was killed by edged weapon.
Incident Location
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