Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Yates died of wounds he received when he was shot by a suspect he had attempted to question.
Officer Yates was on patrol when he observed a suspicious man near the train depot. When Officer Yates attempted to question the man, he refused to cooperate and drew a gun. The suspect fled on foot and Officer Yates pursued him.
A guard at a stockade, two local residents, and two bloodhounds assisted Officer Yates in the chase. The suspect fled into a swamp, with Officer Yates and the civilians in pursuit. The two bloodhounds were sent in after the suspect, but he shot and killed them.
Officer Yates and the civilians then entered the swamp. As they searched for the suspect, the suspect emerged from behind a tree and opened fire, striking Officer Yates and the stockade guard.
Officer Yates was paralyzed by the shot. He died just over a month later from his wounds. The stockade guard recovered from his wounds.
The suspect was apprehended the day after the incident and charged with murder. He was subsequently sentenced to one year.
Officer Yates had served with the Plant City Police Department for several months, and was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Survivors
Officer Yates had served with the Plant City Police Department for several months, and was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FL-13D995C4- Stewardship
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- 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.
Police Officer Yates served with the Plant City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Plant City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Yates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert E. Yates 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 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 E. Yates's cause is highlighted.
How Robert E. Yates Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert E. Yates is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert E. Yates was killed by gun; unknown type.