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Incident
Patrolman Bob Smith was killed in a motorcycle accident during a vehicle pursuit on Wardlow Road. During the pursuit, his motorcycle struck another vehicle near the Long Beach Freeway. He was transported to Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Survivors
Patrolman Smith was survived by his wife, son, parents, three brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Smith served with the Long Beach Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Long Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Long Beach Police Department has lost 28 officers; 14 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1965, 2 officers at Long Beach Police Department were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1965, 6 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 51st heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1965, 56 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1965, 70 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 74th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 26. Of the 13 lost to accidents at Long Beach Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 30; the middle age was 27.
Robert was 26. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35.
Robert was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Robert was 26. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
December holds 7.1% of these deaths at Long Beach Police Department; November holds the most, 21.4%. Sundays: 42.9%.
December holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 28 deaths at Long Beach Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 7.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Long Beach Police Department has 28 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Thomas C. Borden
Mar 17, 1912
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J. R. Wilkinson
Jan 17, 1923
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Orlando E. Bridgeman
Mar 21, 1923
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Robert H. Halstead
Mar 6, 1926
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George A. Walls
Nov 18, 1928
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Ralph A. Morgan
Jul 13, 1931
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William J. MacLean
Dec 12, 1934
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Delbert P. Buckman
Feb 13, 1940
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Engebret Larson
Feb 25, 1942
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Harold W. Irwin
Mar 20, 1945
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Cecil W. Singer
Nov 18, 1945
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Marlin L. Evans
Jul 17, 1949
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Jesse M. Ream
Feb 28, 1950
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Robert H. Morgan
Nov 2, 1950
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William H. Waggoner
Dec 18, 1954
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Frederick W. Walsh, Jr.
Jan 20, 1957
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Vernon J. Owings
Jun 24, 1960
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Richard R. LeFebvre
Aug 15, 1965
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Robert G. Smith
Dec 12, 1965
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William L. Isham
Aug 26, 1967
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Donald V. Knott
Aug 26, 1967
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Robert Ray Birdsall
Sep 16, 1975
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Franke Neal Lewis
Dec 13, 1975
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Gary Orville Elkins
Jan 1, 1976
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Lloyd Marland Lund
Oct 30, 1981
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Karl Duane Simons
Oct 13, 1996
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Daryle Wayne Black
Apr 30, 2000
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Edward Roy Davenport
Feb 4, 2003
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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