Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr.
Agency patch
Trooper

Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr.

Florida Highway Patrol — Tallahassee, FL
Felonious Veteran
End of Watch April 11, 1981
Age 35
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Badge 848
The Vigil Panel 124 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper Robert McDermon was shot and killed near Baldwin while attempting to apprehend an escaped prisoner from the Union Correctional Institution. Trooper McDermon and his cousin had been assisting with the search for the escapee and had returned to his cousin's home along U.S. Route 90 at the completion of their shift. They encountered the convicted murderer inside the mobile home. Trooper McDermon confronted the man, who had armed himself with a shotgun and rifle he found inside, and exchanged shots. Both Trooper McDermon and his cousin were shot and killed. The suspect fled the scene but surrendered a short time later after taking a neighbor hostage. The suspect was found guilty of both murders, sentenced to death, and executed on July 21st, 1992. Trooper McDermon was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 11 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, his daughter, and his son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-57EE6CE3
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.
Trooper McDermon gave the Florida Highway Patrol 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Location Tallahassee, FL
Platform Identity fhp.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 11, 1981
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 35
Badge Number 848
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle
Offender Executed in 1992

Military Service

Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Trooper Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr. 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%.

At Florida Highway Patrol, 23 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.6% of this agency's fallen.

Florida Highway Patrol
23
of 54 officers
42.6% Felonious
FL — Statewide
539
of 1,008 officers
53.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
35
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
11
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Executed in 1992

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr. is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Patrick McDermon, Sr. was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location