Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Robert Palmer was shot and killed during an unprovoked attack. He was shot September 3, 1990 by his wife's ex-husband who had already gunned down the officers two and three year old children. He returned fire, killing the assailant Sergeant Palmer died of his wounds September 25, 1990. Sergeant Palmer had served with the agency for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-A18F6B75- 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.
Sergeant Palmer gave the Elsmere Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Elsmere community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Palmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Robert Preston Palmer 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Preston Palmer's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Preston Palmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed by Sergeant Palmer
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Preston Palmer is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Preston Palmer was killed by gun; unknown type.