Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert Timberlake was shot and killed with his own service weapon while dealing with a transient in the lobby of the Tampa Federal Building at 500 East Zach Street in Tampa, Florida. The subject had entered an elevator, and Officer Timberlake followed him at 9:45 a.m. While in the elevator, a struggle ensued, and the suspect gained control of Officer Timberlake's .38 caliber handgun and shot him several times. The subject was severely wounded by other federal agents when the elevator doors opened. The man was found incompetent to stand trial and was sent to the state mental hospital in Chattahoochee until he was ruled competent enough to stand trial, which occurred in 1980. He received prison sentences of 20 years for each attempted murder and 5 years for each assault, to be served concurrently with his time in the hospital. Officer Timberlake was a United States Army veteran who had served with the United States General Services Administration - Federal Protective Service for eight years and previously served with the Akron (Ohio) Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife, three children, and mother. The Tampa Federal Building was renamed the Timberlake Federal Building in Officer Timberlake's memory.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-5ED8DAD6- 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 Timberlake gave the United States General Services Administration 8 years.
Thank you for your service. 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 Lee Timberlake, Jr. served in the Other (1941â1945) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Robert Lee Timberlake, Jr. 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States General Services Administration - Federal Protective Service, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Lee Timberlake, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert Lee Timberlake, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Found incompetent
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Lee Timberlake, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Lee Timberlake, Jr. was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from United States General Services Administration - Federal Protective Service are honored on badge.nw.
