Roll of Honor
Robert R. Golden
Incident
Park Police Officer Robert Golden was shot and killed while off duty when he intervened in a robbery in a tavern at the intersection of Higgins Road and Barlett Road in Barrington Township, Illinois. Officer Golden ducked behind the bar when three men entered the tavern with shotguns and announced a robbery. When one of the robbers vaulted over the bar and snatched $80 from the till Officer Golden stood up and demanded that the robbers drop their guns. One of the robbers shot Officer Golden in the face. All three suspects, 18, 18, and 19, were apprehended within four days. The gunman was apprehended in San Diego, California, an hour after he was inducted into the U.S. Navy. On February 21st, 1957, all three suspects were convicted of Officer Golden's murder. The suspect who shot him was sentenced to life in prison. The other two were sentenced to 40 years 14 years in prison, respectively.
Survivors
Officer Golden was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D0AC175A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Police Officer Golden served with the Chicago Park District Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Golden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Park Police Officer Robert R. Golden is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 10 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Chicago Park District Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert R. Golden's cause is highlighted.
How Robert R. Golden Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert R. Golden is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert R. Golden was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
