Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Hoelzel was shot and killed while responding to a hold up alarm at 7246 Natural Bridge (Horstmeyer Jewelers). When Patrolman Hoelzel entered the store the suspect began firing his revolver at Officer Hoelzel from behind a basement door. Officer Hoelzel immediately took cover behind a merchandise rack. While waiting to engage the suspect, the suspect ran toward Officer Hoelzel's position firing one more shot, killing him. As the suspect exited the store Officer Hoelzel's partner engaged the suspect in gunfire wounding the suspect in the chest. The suspect was able to run for several blocks and break into the home of an elderly woman, where he was eventually taken into custody. The suspect, an ex-convict, was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life. Patrolman Hoelzel had served with the agency for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-85051BD9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hoelzel gave the Normandy Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Normandy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hoelzel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert Dale Hoelzel 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 97,759 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Dale Hoelzel's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Dale Hoelzel Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Dale Hoelzel is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Dale Hoelzel was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Normandy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.