Robert Charles Prescott
Incident
Corrections Officer Robert Prescott was stabbed to death at the Rockingham County Jail in Brentwood. Officer Prescott had gone to the exercise yard with his dog, and a group of prisoners took him hostage. The prisoners demanded to be released and would free Officer Prescott. However, a few minutes later, guards were informed that they needed an ambulance because Officer Prescott was hurt. A prisoner, using a makeshift knife, stabbed him to death. He died from his injuries before he reached the Exeter Hospital. The dog, who was also killed, had served with Officer Prescott at the Newmarket Police Department and was instrumental in the search for Patrolman Walter Schroder's (Boston Police Department) killer. The 40-year-old suspect was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 45 years to life. His request for a pardon in 1993 was denied. Officer Prescott was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had been a guard at the Rockingham County Department of Corrections for two weeks. He was also a Newmarket Police Officer and a former University of New Hampshire Campus Police Officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, two brothers, nieces, and nephews.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NH-41F52A0F- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corrections Officer Prescott served with the Rockingham County Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of New Hampshire, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Charles Prescott served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Corrections Officer Robert Charles Prescott 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 NH, 23 of 59 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 39% of this state's fallen. That is 15.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Charles Prescott's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Charles Prescott Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 45 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Charles Prescott is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Charles Prescott was killed by edged weapon; knife.