Roll of Honor
Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr.
Incident
Officer Robert Pyles succumbed to a gunshot wound received two weeks earlier after picking up a man who had been walking on the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge. While on patrol, he had stopped to assist the man and began to drive him back to his disabled van. Unbeknownst to Officer Pyles, the van had been stolen and the driver was a parole violator wanted for rape, assault, and the attempted murder of three other officers. Before the two got back to the van, the suspect shot Officer Pyles. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to four consecutive life terms. Officer Pyles had been with the Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department for 19 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-40ED9335- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Pyles gave the Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Annapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Pyles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Robert Franklin Pyles, 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to live
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
