Robert T. Moore
Agency patch
Police Officer

Robert T. Moore

Detroit Police Department — Detroit, MI
Felonious
End of Watch November 8, 1973
Age 24
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 6 mo
The Vigil Panel 112 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Moore was shot and killed by one of three suspects involved in an attempted robbery. After the attempted robbery was foiled, the three suspects fled in a stolen car with the officers in close pursuit. The suspects quickly abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. Officer Moore gave chase. One of the suspects laid in wait and attacked Officer Moore at the rear of 20060 Carol Street. He surprised him and struck Moore in the head. Moore was knocked to the ground and his service revolver was taken from him. He died from a shot to the chest. Police dogs tracked the suspect to a residence at 3797 Waverly where the suspect rented a flat. They found him hiding under blankets in a large bureau drawer in the basement of the Waverly address. Officer Moore's revolver was found in the basement and a fingerprint was lifted matching the suspect. The suspect, 22, was convicted in March 1974 and sentenced to life in prison. He had previously been released from prison just months before Officer Moore's murder. As of October 17, 2022, he was in prison where he will stay for life. Officer Moore served with the Detroit police force for three and a half years and was assigned to the 12th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, a cadet, who had recently graduated from the police academy.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-207ACECD
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.
Police Officer Moore gave the Detroit Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Moore.

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

Agency

Location Detroit, MI
Platform Identity detpd.wayne.mi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 8, 1973
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 6 mo
Age 24
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

Police Officer Robert T. Moore 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.

Detroit Police Department
177
of 250 officers
70.8% Felonious
MI — Statewide
426
of 718 officers
59.3% 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 T. Moore'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 T. Moore Compares

Age at End of Watch
24
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert T. Moore is highlighted in Nov.

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 T. Moore was killed by officer's handgun.

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

Incident Location