Robert Paul Bolton
Agency patch
Officer

Robert Paul Bolton

Eau Claire Police Department — Eau Claire, WI
Felonious
End of Watch October 6, 1982
Age 28
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Badge 138
The Vigil Panel 126 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Robert Bolton was shot and killed while attempting to question a man during a domestic disturbance. He had been called to a women's shelter where a married man was attempting to see his girlfriend. As Officer Bolton arrived, the man was attempting to enter his vehicle. Officer Bolton unsuccessfully attempted to stop him. The suspect was able to grab a .357 revolver from the vehicle and shoot him. Officer Bolton returned fire as the suspect fled. Office Bolton was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. After a short pursuit, the suspect was captured and convicted. He later died in prison. Officer Bolton had served with the Eau Claire Police Department for four years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-C02013C7
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.
Officer Bolton gave the Eau Claire Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Eau Claire community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Bolton.

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

Agency

Location Eau Claire, WI
Platform Identity ecpd.eauclaire.wi.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 6, 1982
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 138
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber
Offender Died in prison

Officer Robert Paul Bolton 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 WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 4 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Eau Claire 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.

Eau Claire Police Department
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
WI — Statewide
159
of 317 officers
50.2% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Paul Bolton's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Robert Paul Bolton Compares

Age at End of Watch
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Died in prison

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Paul Bolton is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Paul Bolton was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Eau Claire Police Department are honored on badge.nw.