Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Petey Porter was shot and killed after an argument outside a bar. Officer Porter and another officer were both off duty and were recognized as police officers by three men. The other officer had testified against one of the suspects earlier in the day. The two officers got into a vehicle and started to drive away when the suspects pulled up next to them and shot Officer Porter in the head, killing him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. All three suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. It is believed that the other officer had been the intended target because he had shot and arrested one of the suspects in 1995. Officer Porter had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for seven years and served as an undercover narcotics officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his stepson, two siblings, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-995CAD87- 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.
Police Officer Porter gave the Philadelphia Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Porter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert Porter 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Porter's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Porter Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Porter is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Porter was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
