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Incident
Lieutenant Robert Geer was stabbed to death by a prison inmate he attempted to subdue after the suspect stabbed a fellow inmate at the Oregon State Penitentiary. On November 23, 1969, the suspect had stabbed another inmate to death at the federal penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. He received an additional 10 years for being in possession of a weapon by a prisoner and an additional five years for escape. Lieutenant Geer had served with the Oregon Department of Corrections for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Correctional Lieutenant Geer gave the Oregon Department of Corrections 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Lieutenant Geer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oregon Department of Corrections has lost 11 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 1 officer at Oregon Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1902, with 3.
In 1972, 1 officer in OR was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 42. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Oregon Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 44; the middle age was 43. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Robert was 42. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Robert was 42. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Oregon Department of Corrections; June holds the most, 30%. Fridays: 20%.
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 19.1%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90.9% of all 11 deaths at Oregon Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 30% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 3.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Oregon Department of Corrections has 11 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Frank Bonham Ferrell
Jun 9, 1902
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Thurston Jones, Sr.
Jun 9, 1902
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Bailey T. Tiffany
Jun 9, 1902
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Harry P. Minto
Sep 28, 1915
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James Milton Holman
Aug 12, 1925
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John L. Sweeney
Aug 12, 1925
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Alvin M. Schmitt Apr 11, 1969
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Robert C. Geer
Apr 7, 1972
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James Michael Francke
Jan 17, 1989
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Louis Steven Perrine
Nov 17, 1994
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Buddy Ray Herron
Nov 29, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Oregon Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
