Prev
Incident
Officer Bob White was electrocuted while investigating a traffic crash in which a truck had rammed an electrical transformer at 2:30 a.m. While at the scene of the crash at Tumble Way and Old Piedmont Road in San Jose, Officer White went to the front of the vehicle and picked up a fender that fell off the truck. Unknown to him, the crash had damaged an electrical transformer, exposing several wires, which had been detached and came in contact with the fender. Despite efforts to revive him, he was unable to be resuscitated. Officer White had served with the San Jose Police Department for over two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, two sisters, a brother, and a fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmka0m202by64x1vh90g- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer White gave the San Jose Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 5 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, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1985, 7 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1985, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1985, 75 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 25. Of the 5 lost to accidents at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 39; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Robert was 25. 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 had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 25. 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 had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 20%.
January holds 9.3% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 13.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 38.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
-
Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
-
John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
-
John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
-
Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
-
Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
-
Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
-
Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
-
Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
-
Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
-
Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
-
Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
-
Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
-
Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
