Robert M. Beard

Roanoke City Police Department — Roanoke, VA

Felonious

End of Watch October 12, 1906

Age 52

The Vigil Panel 21 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

Incident

Patrolman Robert Beard was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at the Alleghany Institute, which became the Burrell Memorial Hospital and the current Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Burrell Center. During the arrest, the suspect asked Patrolman Beard if he could get his coat from a closet. When he stepped into the closet, he produced a handgun and shot Patrolman Beard. The killer fled the scene but was later apprehended and hung for the murder. Patrolman Beard was a veteran of the Roanoke City Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and eight children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-VA-FC22C4E7
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 Beard served with the Roanoke City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roanoke community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Beard.

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

Agency

Department Roanoke City Police Department

Location Roanoke, VA

Platform Identity roanpd.roanoke.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 12, 1906

Age 52

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Executed

Patrolman Robert M. Beard 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Roanoke City Police Department, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Roanoke City Police Department

of 15 officers

80% Felonious

VA — Statewide

395

of 654 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious