Robert H. Lobdell
Agency patch
Patrol Inspector

Robert H. Lobdell

Felonious
End of Watch December 25, 1928
Age 30
Tour of Duty 6 mo
Badge 1473
The Vigil Panel 56 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrol Inspector Robert Lobdell was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspected illegal immigrant who was smuggling liquor on Highway 11 five miles east of Roseau, Minnesota. He was shot as he attempted to place the suspect in his patrol car for transport to jail. The suspect was apprehended the following day and sentenced to life in prison for Inspector Lobdell's murder. However, the suspect escaped from prison in 1965 and was never recaptured. Inspector Lobdell had served with the United States Border Patrol for only six months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-C1E4B0A0
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Inspector Lobdell served with the United States Department of Labor.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Inspector Lobdell.

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

Agency

Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdlisusbpfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 25, 1928
Tour of Duty 6 mo
Age 30
Badge Number 1473
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Never captured

Patrol Inspector Robert H. Lobdell 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, 20 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol
20
of 28 officers
71.4% Felonious
DC — Statewide
754
of 1,419 officers
53.1% 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 H. Lobdell'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 H. Lobdell Compares

Age at End of Watch
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Never captured

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert H. Lobdell is highlighted in Dec.

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 H. Lobdell was killed by gun; unknown type.

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

Incident Location