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Donald A. Robertson
Incident
Detective Lieutenant Donald Robertson was shot and killed while checking a vehicle trunk for an armed robbery suspect. Patrol officers had stopped a suspect vehicle and transported the lone passenger to the police station at 801 Sligo Avenue. Lieutenant Robertson suspected the second suspect was in the trunk of the car and left the station to check it. As he removed the rear seat cushions, two shots were fired, and Lieutenant Robertson was fatally wounded. The subject then committed suicide. Lieutenant Robertson had served with the Montgomery County Police Department for exactly 13 years on the day of his murder. He was survived by his expectant wife, two daughters, and brother. His brother and brother-in-law both served with the Montgomery County Police Department at the time of his murder.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, two daughters, and brother.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Lieutenant Robertson gave the Montgomery County Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gaithersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lieutenant Robertson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Montgomery County Police Department has lost 21 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald 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 Montgomery County Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1976, with 2.
In 1972, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
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
Donald was 35. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Montgomery County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 37; the middle age was 32.5. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
Donald was 35. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Donald was 35. 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. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 50% of these deaths at Montgomery County Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 37.5%.
March holds 7.2% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 38.1% of all 21 deaths at Montgomery County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.7% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Montgomery County Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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Joseph Asbury Case Dec 17, 1928
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Webb Sellman Hersperger
Jun 18, 1933
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James E. Shoemaker
Feb 4, 1938
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David G. Bissett
Oct 1, 1952
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Robert L. McAllister
Nov 23, 1952
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William H. Jessie
Dec 30, 1964
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Donald A. Robertson
Mar 9, 1972
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William Patrick Conboy, Jr.
Dec 29, 1973
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James Edward Daly, Jr.
Mar 28, 1976
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John Michael Frontczak
Mar 29, 1976
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Philip Carl Metz
Mar 27, 1981
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Mark M. Filer
Aug 24, 1993
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James E. Walch
Jan 25, 1994
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Joseph Aloysius Mattingly, Jr.
Sep 13, 2003
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Luke Timothy Hoffman
Apr 25, 2007
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Hector Ismael Ayala
Apr 4, 2010
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William Dewitt Talbert
Jan 27, 2012
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Christina Lee Splaine
Sep 24, 2015
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Noah Aaron Leotta
Dec 10, 2015
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Kyle David Olinger
Apr 18, 2019
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Thomas Bomba
Oct 14, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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