Robert Leo Kosmal

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA

Felonious

End of Watch August 17, 1935

Age 28

Tour of Duty 7 yrs 2 mo

The Vigil Panel 70 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 100

Incident

Patrolman Robert Kosmal was stabbed, shot, and killed off duty after stopping his vehicle on a narrow street for a man standing in the middle of the street who refused to move and let him get by. He was at Albion Street and Cassina Way, with his wife and two other women, when he got out and confronted the man. When an argument began a friend of the man came to his assistance. Patrolman Kosmal convinced both to get of the road, but as he walked back to his car the suspect shot him three times in the back. As he fell the the ground the other subject stabbed him in the chest. The shooter was later apprehended. His friend was never found. The suspect, 38, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He had a parole hearing on December 10, 1957; Outcome unknown.

Survivors

Patrolman Kosmal was survived by his wife and two young children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-CBAD0002
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Kosmal gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kosmal.

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

Agency

Department Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Location Pittsburgh, PA

Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 17, 1935

Tour of Duty 7 yrs 2 mo

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman Robert Leo Kosmal 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 Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 45 of 101 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.6% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

of 101 officers

44.6% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious