Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert Handwerk was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a robbery in progress at a deli at 1364 Florida Avenue, NE. When the officers confronted one of the suspects, both men opened fire, striking Officer Handwerk five times. His partner was shot once in the leg and wounded. Despite the wound, he was able to return fire and struck one of the subjects as he fled. Both subjects were arrested and charged with Officer Handwerk's murder. Both men were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Handwerk had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-23C5EE66- 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.
Officer Handwerk gave the Metropolitan Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Handwerk.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert D. Handwerk 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 70 of 131 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert D. Handwerk's cause is highlighted.
How Robert D. Handwerk Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert D. Handwerk is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert D. Handwerk was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
130 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
