Robert G. Dunning
Agency patch
Trooper

Robert G. Dunning

New York State Police — Albany, NY
Felonious
End of Watch June 14, 1987
Age 45
Tour of Duty 22 yrs
Badge 2569
The Vigil Panel 132 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper Robert Dunning was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a man with a gun call on Davis Road in Pleasant Valley. As soon as the troopers arrived at the home, the suspect shot both officers with an AR-15 rifle, killing Trooper Dunning and wounding his partner in the leg. The suspect then committed suicide. Trooper Dunning had served with the New York State Police for 20 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, three stepchildren, parents, and two brothers, who also served with the New York State Police.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-1D272568
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

22 years. You could have gone home.
Trooper Dunning gave the New York State Police 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of New York. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Dunning.

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

Agency

Location Albany, NY
Platform Identity nysp.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 14, 1987
Tour of Duty 22 yrs
Age 45
Badge Number 2569
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle; AR-15
Offender Committed suicide

Trooper Robert G. Dunning 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York State Police, 29 of 171 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 17% of this agency's fallen.

New York State Police
29
of 171 officers
17% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% 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 G. Dunning'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 G. Dunning Compares

Age at End of Watch
45
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
22
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Committed suicide

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert G. Dunning is highlighted in Jun.

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 G. Dunning was killed by rifle; ar-15.

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

Incident Location