Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Bob Clifton was shot and killed when he and another officer stopped a vehicle for a routine inspection at 2803 S. Main Street. The vehicle was occupied by four men and a juvenile girl who had just robbed and beaten a grocery store operator in Bowie, Texas, several hours earlier. Patrolman Clifton observed their vehicle exit I-44 and stop at a restaurant before driving into the southern part of the city. He stopped the car and had ordered the occupants to exit after he grew suspicious of them. The driver pulled a gun opened fire on Patrolman Clifton, fatally wounding him. Another officer who was pulling up to the scene returned fire and fatally wounded the subject. The other four occupants were returned to authorities in Texas to face robbery charges. Patrolman Clifton had served with the Joplin Police Department for 6-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-6A95A291- 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 Clifton gave the Joplin Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Clifton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert M. Clifton 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Joplin Police Department, 17 of 21 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert M. Clifton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert M. Clifton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert M. Clifton is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert M. Clifton was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
20 officers from Joplin Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
