Robert C. Geer
Agency patch
Correctional Lieutenant

Robert C. Geer

Felonious
End of Watch April 7, 1972
Age 42
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
The Vigil Panel 110 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Lieutenant Robert Geer was stabbed to death by a prison inmate he attempted to subdue after the suspect stabbed a fellow inmate at the Oregon State Penitentiary. On November 23, 1969, the suspect had stabbed another inmate to death at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. He received an additional 10 years for being in possession of a weapon by a prisoner and an additional five years for escape. Lieutenant Geer had served with the Oregon Department of Corrections for 15 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OR-E8665CB9
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Lieutenant Geer gave the Oregon Department of Corrections 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Lieutenant Geer.

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

Agency

Location Salem, OR
Platform Identity odcorr.marion.or.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 7, 1972
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 42
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Sentenced to 25 years

Correctional Lieutenant Robert C. Geer 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 OR, 115 of 197 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.4% of this state's fallen. That is 4.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Oregon Department of Corrections, 10 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90.9% of this agency's fallen.

Oregon Department of Corrections
10
of 11 officers
90.9% Felonious
OR — Statewide
115
of 197 officers
58.4% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert C. Geer's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Robert C. Geer Compares

Age at End of Watch
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
15
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 25 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert C. Geer is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert C. Geer was killed by edged weapon; knife.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location