Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Robert Dana was shot and killed by a suspect who had gained control of another officer's handgun on the Blue Hills Parkway, in Milton. Officer Dana had conducted a traffic stop when he noticed a stolen television in the backseat. A Milton police officer stopped to assist during the traffic stop and was speaking to the driver as Officer Dana returned to his patrol car to contact dispatchers. During the questioning the suspect became agitated, gained control of the Milton officer's weapon, and shot Officer Dana. The suspect was traced to a home in Boston where he committed suicide as a SWAT team entered to arrest him. Officer Dana was survived by his wife who was a member of the Milton Police Department. She was on duty and responded to the scene in the police ambulance. Before joining the Metropolitan Police Department Officer Dana had served as a federal police officer and a U.S. Air Force Security Policeman. He was survived by his wife of six months and parents. After Officer Dana's death the Robert Dana Award was created and is awarded annually to Massachusetts Police Officers for distinguished service.
Survivors
Officer Dana was survived by his wife who was a member of the Milton Police Department. He was survived by his wife of six months and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-980860E6- 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 Dana gave the Metropolitan Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boston community, and for your service before it. 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 P. Dana served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer Robert P. Dana 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Metropolitan Police Department, 4 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert P. Dana's cause is highlighted.
How Robert P. Dana Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert P. Dana is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert P. Dana was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
