Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Robert Ward was killed when suspects in a stolen vehicle rammed his patrol car in front of 1000 1st Avenue S at about 3:35 am. Sergeant Ward and two other officers were on patrol when other officers started pursuing burglary suspects in the stolen vehicle. They proceeded to the area and spotted the suspect's vehicle. The suspect's vehicle swerved into the patrol car's lane, and the vehicles collided head-on. The two officers with Sergeant Ward were injured, and Sergeant Ward was killed. One suspect also died, and the other was arrested. Sergeant Ward had served with the Seattle Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-220AD4B4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Ward gave the Seattle Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Robert D. Ward is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Seattle Police Department, 44 of 60 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert D. Ward's cause is highlighted.
How Robert D. Ward Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert D. Ward is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert D. Ward was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
59 officers from Seattle Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
