Robert B. McPherson

San Diego Police Dept. — San Diego, CA

Felonious

End of Watch September 19, 1929

Age 39

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 58 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 37

Incident

Patrolman Robert McPherson was killed after being assaulted while on jail duty. He was attempting to pull an inmate off a cellmate he was choking. As he entered the cell the inmate grabbed Patrolman McPherson's nightstick and began beating him over the head with it. Other officers were able to subdue the prisoner. Patrolman McPherson was transported to a local hospital with serious head injuries. The next day Patrolman McPherson left the hospital without permission but was later found walking around dazed and confused. He was returned to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. The 41-year-old suspect was in jail for beating his 7-year-old son about his head with an iron pipe leaving him in critical condition. The man was arguing with his wife in their home when she took the boy and left. They were at 32nd and Marcos Streets when her husband walked up and attacked his son. A police officer with a prisoner drove near the location when the prisoner suddenly screamed "That man over there is killing that little boy." When the officer pulled his gun the man surrendered. He placed the suspect in the back seat with his prisoner, gave the original prisoner his nightstick, and told him to use it if he needed to keep the man under control. He put the boy in the front seat and drove to the county hospital where doctors went to work immediately to save the boy's life. On November 10, 1929, the suspect was adjudged insane and committed to the Mendocino State Mental Hospital. His son recovered and had no recollection of the beating. His father was discharged in December 1930. Patrolman McPherson had served with the San Diego Police Department for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and 12-year-old son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-FAEF4367
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.
Patrolman McPherson gave the San Diego Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McPherson.

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

Agency

Department San Diego Police Dept.

Location San Diego, CA

Platform Identity sdpd.sandiego.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 19, 1929

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's nightstick

Offender Committed

Patrolman Robert B. McPherson 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At San Diego Police Dept., 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.

San Diego Police Dept.

of 38 officers

71.1% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious