Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Robert Litsey was shot and killed after responding to a report of loitering on a staircase at 7th Avenue and Pine Street. When Officer Litsey called for the suspects to come down the stairs, one of the men opened fire, killing him. Three men were arrested and charged with murder. One was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 19 years. He was paroled in 1930. Another was convicted of murder. He died in prison from tuberculosis on March 14, 1929. The last suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. On September 15, 1925, he escaped from the city jail. Several days later he was captured in San Francisco after he committed an armed robbery. He spent 13 years in Folsom Prison and was returned to Walla Walla Penitentiary in 1938. In 1943 his sentence was reduced to 19 years making him eligible for parole.
Survivors
Officer Litsey had served with the Seattle Police Department for 22 years and was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-57F9CA47- 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
22 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Litsey gave the Seattle Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Litsey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert L. Litsey 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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 L. Litsey's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Litsey Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to Life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Litsey is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Litsey was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
59 officers from Seattle Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
