Robert A. Montgomery
Agency patch
Roundsman

Robert A. Montgomery

Felonious
End of Watch January 11, 1887
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
The Vigil Panel 9 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Roundsman Montgomery was shot and killed by an officer he was assigned to supervise. While conducting his post inspections, Roundsman Montgomery found that one of his Officers was not on his post. Roundsman Montgomery was able to locate the Officer inside a bar, where he found him with his hat off and his jacket open, sitting in front of a fire. The Officer's belt and club were at his side.

Roundsman Montgomery asked of the Officer "What are you doing here?", and the Officer answered, "Do you plan to make a complaint?" Roundsman Montgomery informed the Officer that he did plan to file a complaint and he ordered the officer back to post.

When Roundsman Montgomery and the Officer reached Seventy-Third street and Madison Avenue, the Officer drew his revolver and fired at Roundsman Montgomery. After being hit with the first shot, Roundsman Montgomery turned and the Officer stated "I'll fix you" and fired again. Roundsman Montgomery was able to wrestle the revolver away from the officer before he collapsed.

Roundsman Montgomery was removed to the hospital where he died from his wounds three days later.

The officer was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted after a jury trial and sentenced to life in prison.

Roundsman Montgomery had served with the agency for ten years. His wife and son survived him.

Roundsman Montgomery was shot and killed by an officer he was assigned to supervise. While conducting his post inspections, Roundsman Montgomery found that one of his Officers was not on his post. Roundsman Montgomery was able to locate the Officer inside a bar, where he found him with his hat off and his jacket open, sitting in front of a fire. The Officer's belt and club were at his side.

Roundsman Montgomery asked of the Officer "What are you doing here?", and the Officer answered, "Do you plan to make a complaint?" Roundsman Montgomery informed the Officer that he did plan to file a complaint and he ordered the officer back to post.

When Roundsman Montgomery and the Officer reached Seventy-Third street and Madison Avenue, the Officer drew his revolver and fired at Roundsman Montgomery. After being hit with the first shot, Roundsman Montgomery turned and the Officer stated "I'll fix you" and fired again. Roundsman Montgomery was able to wrestle the revolver away from the officer before he collapsed.

The officer was arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted after a jury trial and sentenced to life in prison.

Roundsman Montgomery‘s photograph hangs in the current 19 PCT station house on E. 67th St. He was the first officer killed in the line of duty from that command. From what I know he left behind a wife and a son. His son had no children, and he died a widower himself in 1966. He lived in Stanhope NJ. This above image of Robert Montgomery came from (The National Police Gazette) magazine.

Richard Flaherty NYPD December 26th, 2020

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April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

139 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Roundsman Montgomery gave the New York Municipal Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 11, 1887
Tour of Duty 10 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to life in prison

Roundsman Robert A. Montgomery 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 City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department
382
of 1,237 officers
30.9% 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 A. Montgomery'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 A. Montgomery Compares

Years of Service
10
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert A. Montgomery is highlighted in Jan.

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 A. Montgomery 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