Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Holcomb was shot and killed while answering a residential burglary call. Patrolman Holcomb was on a residential burglary call at a home in Plainville when two men ran out of the house. Patrolman Holcomb chased one man, who was waiting for him in the woods across the street. The burglar shot him once in the arm and then stood over him and fired four more shots into his chest. Patrolman Holcomb died shortly after at New Britain General Hospital. The 33-year-old suspect was convicted of Patrolman Holcomb's murder and sentenced to life. On January 9, 2015, he was granted a parole that was quickly revoked after an outraged family and police, who were not notified of the hearing, expressed their disappointment. He will be considered for parole again in 2020. He was not paroled in 2020. As of December 15, 2022, he was in prison. Patrolman Holcomb had served with the Plainville Police Department for 5 years. He is survived by his wife and a 3-year-old son. A street in Plainville was later renamed Robert Holcomb Way in his memory.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and a 3-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CT-84ECEC41- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Holcomb gave the Plainville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Plainville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Holcomb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert Michael "Bob" Holcomb 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 CT, 74 of 169 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 43.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Michael "Bob" Holcomb's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Michael "Bob" Holcomb Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Michael "Bob" Holcomb is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Michael "Bob" Holcomb was killed by gun; unknown type.