Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman David Roberts succumbed to injuries associated with a gunshot wound sustained on March 29, 1985.
He was shot in the face while attempting to arrest a suspect at an apartment building on South Clarkson Street. The suspect had been a part of a 13-hour crime spree in the area.
He was left paralyzed on the left side of his body, and his condition continued to deteriorate until he passed away.
The subject was convicted of assault.
Patrolman Roberts had served with the Denver Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his daughter, a brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-E2EABC0C- 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 Roberts gave the Denver Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Roberts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman David Roberts 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Roberts's cause is highlighted.
How David Roberts Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of assault
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Roberts is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Roberts was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
