Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Rob Targosz died from injuries received the previous day when a drunk driver struck his motorcycle at the intersection of Price Road and Apache Boulevard in Tempe.
The collision occurred when the drunk driver passed several stopped cars and ran a red light. After the collision, the driver and a passenger both fled the scene. The driver was later captured, and the passenger was taken into custody after returning to the scene.
Officer Targosz was taken to Scottsdale Osborne Healthcare Hospital, where he died in surgery at approximately 1:30 am.
In January 2008, the subject plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to nine years without the possibility of parole plus five years of post-release probation.
Officer Targosz had served with the Gilbert Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-29763572- 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 Targosz gave the Gilbert Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gilbert community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Targosz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert Daniel Targosz 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 AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Gilbert Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Daniel Targosz's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Daniel Targosz Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to nine years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Daniel Targosz is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Daniel Targosz was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Gilbert Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
