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Incident
Trooper Robert Chab was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a vehicle safety checkpoint on Highway 159 near Falls City, Nebraska. An elderly driver failed to see the checkpoint and struck Trooper Chab. Trooper Chab had served with the Nebraska State Patrol for 21 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Trooper Chab gave the Nebraska State Patrol 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Nebraska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Chab.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nebraska State Patrol has lost 15 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 36 officers lost to accidents in NE, 23.8% of the 151 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 1984, 1 officer at Nebraska State Patrol was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 1 officer in NE was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1984, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1984, 99 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 45. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Nebraska State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 44.5; the middle age was 40. Robert had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Robert was 45. Of the 33 lost to accidents in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 53; the middle age was 40. Robert had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 45. 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 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 45. 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 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at Nebraska State Patrol; June holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 28.6%.
January holds 13.9% of these deaths in NE, more than any other month. Fridays: 22.2%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 46.7% of all 15 deaths at Nebraska State Patrol, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.8% of all 151 deaths in NE, 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Nebraska State Patrol has 15 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Loyal M. Zink
Jun 13, 1945
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John T. Meistrell
Apr 10, 1953
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Vernon C. Rolfs
May 30, 1953
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Marvin L. Hansen
Apr 8, 1954
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Duane F. Nichols
Jul 24, 1958
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Raymond M. Koerber
Sep 18, 1961
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George William Amos, Jr.
Apr 20, 1973
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Michael D. Farber
Aug 24, 1980
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Robert J. Chab
Jan 6, 1984
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Donald Matejka
Dec 27, 1989
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Mark Paul Wagner
Mar 4, 1999
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Mark Zach
Sep 27, 2002
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Jerry Chab
Aug 6, 2013
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Jerry Louis Smith, Jr.
Jun 20, 2019
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Kyle McAcy
Feb 17, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Nebraska State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
