Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Robert Staab was shot and killed while on a plainclothes detail at a large convention at 9801 Collins Avenue. He and his partner observed a suspicious man going from door to door in the hotel swimming pool area and attempted to question him. The suspect and Lieutenant Staab's partner began to struggle. As Lieutenant Staab came around a corner the suspect shot him. The man then fled the scene but was arrested a short time later after being stopped in Hollywood, Florida. The suspect was apprehended and executed for the murder in 1961. Lieutenant Staab was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII.
Survivors
He had been in law enforcement for more than six years and was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-37A3C74B- 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.
Lieutenant Staab gave the Bal Harbour Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bal Harbour community, 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 Joseph Staab served in the Marine Corps (1943â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Lieutenant Robert Joseph Staab 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bal Harbour Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Joseph Staab's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Joseph Staab Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1961
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Joseph Staab is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Joseph Staab was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bal Harbour Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
