Robert D. Handwerk
Agency patch
Officer

Robert D. Handwerk

Metropolitan Police Department — Washington, DC
Felonious
End of Watch January 24, 1964
Age 28
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 2256
The Vigil Panel 99 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Robert Handwerk was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a robbery in progress at a deli at 1364 Florida Avenue, NE. When the officers confronted one of the suspects, both men opened fire, striking Officer Handwerk five times. His partner was shot once in the leg and wounded. Despite the wound, he was able to return fire and struck one of the subjects as he fled. Both subjects were arrested and charged with Officer Handwerk's murder. Both men were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Handwerk had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmys4ma45y2r6d0zzak9
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 Handwerk gave the Metropolitan Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Handwerk.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity mpdc.dc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 24, 1964
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 2256
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1964, 75 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 28. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Metropolitan Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Officer Robert D. Handwerk

Metropolitan Police Department · End of Watch January 24, 1964

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E

↑