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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Shaw suffered a fatal heart attack while conducting crowd control at a riot. He and other deputies were on post at the Grand Prix Championship motorcycle race at Laguna Seca Raceway when a group of approximately 400 people began creating a disturbance. Dressed in riot gear, the deputies attempted to stop the riot, at which time Deputy Shaw suffered a heart attack. Other deputies performed CPR on him while surrounded by a ring of deputies holding the crowd back. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Deputy Shaw had served with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office for nine years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Shaw gave the Monterey County Sheriff's Office 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salinas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Shaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Monterey County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Robert is one of 52 officers lost to cardiac events in CA, 2.8% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 2 officers in CA were lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1988, 19 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1988, 19 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 12th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Robert was 32. Of the 51 lost to cardiac events in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 52.5; the middle age was 44. Robert had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Robert was 32. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Robert was 32. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Robert had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 11.5% of these deaths in CA; January holds the most, 15.4%. Saturdays: 13.5%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 11.1% of all 9 deaths at Monterey County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 2.8% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Monterey County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Monterey County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
