Roll of Honor
Robert McLean Hamilton
Incident
Police Officer Robert Hamilton was shot and killed at the intersection of Shaw Avenue and Penn Avenue while chasing two robbery suspects who had just shot a waiter at a restaurant at 610 Penn Avenue.
He and his partner were walking their beat when they heard the shots inside the restaurant. As they ran towards the scene two suspects exited the restaurant and opened fire on them. Both officers returned fire as the suspects fled down Penn Avenue.
Officer Hamilton pursued them and as he turned the corner onto Shaw Avenue he was shot in the head and killed instantly.
The suspects who shot him were acquitted at trial.
Officer Hamilton had previously served with the Turtle Creek Police Department but resigned to serve in the U.S. Army. He was shot and killed on his first day back to the department after being discharged from the Army.
Officer Hamilton is buried at Grandview Cemetery in North Versailles, Pennsylvania.
Thank you for your service and please know that no passage of time can ever erase your sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) April 4th, 2021
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-8D07E264- 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.
Police Officer Hamilton served with the Turtle Creek Borough Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Turtle Creek 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 McLean Hamilton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Robert McLean Hamilton 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 Turtle Creek Borough Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert McLean Hamilton's cause is highlighted.
How Robert McLean Hamilton Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert McLean Hamilton is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert McLean Hamilton was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Turtle Creek Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
