Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Wehagen was stabbed by an escaped mental patient as he entered an apartment. Patrolman Wehagen and other officers responded to the butcher shop where the escaped mental patient lived. He threatened his wife, daughter, and godson, which was overheard by the upstairs neighbor, who called the police. The man then shooed everyone out and locked himself in the apartment. The officers obtained the key from his wife, and as he was opening the door, Patrolman Wehagen was stabbed in the abdomen. As he fell to the floor, he was able to spray the man in the face with tear gas. The suspect was subsequently shot by other officers and died at the hospital. Patrolman Wehagen was taken to Lutheran Hospital for surgery. The knife had severed his intestines in five places, and he died while in surgery. Patrolman Wehagen was a United States Army World War I veteran and had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-B12B4B4B- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Wehagen gave the Cleveland Division of Police 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cleveland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert William Wehagen served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Robert William Wehagen 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Cleveland Division of Police, 83 of 119 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert William Wehagen's cause is highlighted.
How Robert William Wehagen Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert William Wehagen is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert William Wehagen was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
118 officers from Cleveland Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
