Robert Van Hall Jr.

New York State Police — Albany, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch December 5, 1980

Age 35

The Vigil Panel 123 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 170

Incident

Investigator Robert Van Hall was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to arrest two brothers for trafficking cocaine and marijuana. He was a passenger in an unmarked patrol car and was shot by the suspects with a shotgun. Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. One had his conviction overturned and resentenced for drug convictions. He was paroled in 2013. The 32-year-old shooter, who was up for parole, died in prison January 16, 2019. Investigator Van Hall was a Vietnam War veteran.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and 14-year-old daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-1B600697
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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.
Investigator Van Hall served with the New York State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York State Police

Type State Police

Location Albany, NY

Platform Identity nysp.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 5, 1980

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Military Service

Robert Van Hall Jr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Investigator Robert Van Hall Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York State Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Police

of 171 officers

17% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious