Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert West was shot and killed by a fellow officer whom he had reported for drinking on duty. The officer had been suspended for 10 days and was set to stand trial for the offense. He located Officer West, who was on duty at the Louisville and Nashville Railroad depot, and began to argue with him. The officer then opened fire on Officer West, mortally wounding him. Despite his wounds, Officer West returned fire and killed the attacker. Officer West had served in the Georgia Infantry and was predeceased by his wife and son. He is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-2FD2170E- 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.
Officer West served with the Hopkinsville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hopkinsville 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 H. West served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Robert H. West 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hopkinsville Police Dept., 6 of 6 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 H. West's cause is highlighted.
How Robert H. West Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert H. West is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert H. West was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Hopkinsville Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
