Robert Joe Washington, Sr.
Agency patch
Officer

Robert Joe Washington, Sr.

Jackson Police Department — Jackson, MS
Felonious
End of Watch November 15, 1995
Age 37
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 142 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Robert Washington was shot and killed while on duty. Officer Washington was on patrol when he cleared his last call around 9:00 pm at Highway 80 and Shaw Road in Jackson. When the shift ended at 10:00 pm, Officer Washington never reported to the precinct. The dispatcher attempted to call Officer Washington numerous times, but there was no response. A massive search was conducted by the Jackson Police Department and surrounding law enforcement agencies throughout the night and the next morning. Officer Washington's body was located the next morning near an old drive-in theater off Highway 80 suffering from several gunshot wounds. A suspect in his murder was arrested and charged with capital murder in February 2007. All charges were dropped without prejudice in 2009. Officer Washington had served with the agency for 11 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, seven brothers, and six sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-14CBD575
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 Washington gave the Jackson Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Washington.

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

Agency

Location Jackson, MS
Platform Identity jpd.hinds.ms.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 15, 1995
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Never apprehended

Officer Robert Joe Washington, 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Jackson Police Department, 14 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.7% of this agency's fallen.

Jackson Police Department
14
of 19 officers
73.7% Felonious
MS — Statewide
242
of 349 officers
69.3% 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 Joe Washington, 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 Joe Washington, Sr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
37
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
11
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Never apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Joe Washington, Sr. 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 Joe Washington, Sr. was killed by gun; unknown type.

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