Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Robert Wise was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight between a man and woman at 20th Street and Catharine streets. The man was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three to six years in prison. On December 31, 1937, the same subject who murdered Policeman Wise caused a vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Park Guard Martin Clasby of the Fairmount Park Police Department. Policeman Wise was a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish-American War and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 18 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-23BD490A- 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.
Policeman Wise gave the Philadelphia Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia 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 Donald Wise served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Robert Donald Wise 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Donald Wise's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Donald Wise Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 3 to 6 years in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Donald Wise is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Donald Wise was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
