Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert McPherson was killed after being assaulted while on jail duty. He was attempting to pull an inmate off a cellmate he was choking. As he entered the cell the inmate grabbed Patrolman McPherson's nightstick and began beating him over the head with it. Other officers were able to subdue the prisoner. Patrolman McPherson was transported to a local hospital with serious head injuries. The next day Patrolman McPherson left the hospital without permission but was later found walking around dazed and confused. He was returned to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. The 41-year-old suspect was in jail for beating his 7-year-old son about his head with an iron pipe leaving him in critical condition. The man was arguing with his wife in their home when she took the boy and left. They were at 32nd and Marcos Streets when her husband walked up and attacked his son. A police officer with a prisoner drove near the location when the prisoner suddenly screamed "That man over there is killing that little boy." When the officer pulled his gun the man surrendered. He placed the suspect in the back seat with his prisoner, gave the original prisoner his nightstick, and told him to use it if he needed to keep the man under control. He put the boy in the front seat and drove to the county hospital where doctors went to work immediately to save the boy's life. On November 10, 1929, the suspect was adjudged insane and committed to the Mendocino State Mental Hospital. His son recovered and had no recollection of the beating. His father was discharged in December 1930. Patrolman McPherson had served with the San Diego Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 12-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-FAEF4367- 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 McPherson gave the San Diego Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McPherson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert B. McPherson 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At San Diego Police Department, 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert B. McPherson's cause is highlighted.
How Robert B. McPherson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert B. McPherson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert B. McPherson was killed by officer's nightstick.
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from San Diego Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
