Incident
Sergeant Robert Ward was killed when suspects in a stolen vehicle rammed his patrol car in front of 1000 1st Avenue S at about 3:35 am. Sergeant Ward and two other officers were on patrol when other officers started pursuing burglary suspects in the stolen vehicle. They proceeded to the area and spotted the suspect's vehicle. The suspect's vehicle swerved into the patrol car's lane, and the vehicles collided head-on. The two officers with Sergeant Ward were injured, and Sergeant Ward was killed. One suspect also died, and the other was arrested. Sergeant Ward had served with the Seattle Police Department for 16 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtneee20582gefh56k44h- Stewardship
- 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.
Sergeant Ward gave the Seattle Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Seattle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ward.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Seattle Police Department has lost 60 officers; 44 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 1 officer at Seattle Police Department was killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 4.
In 1969, 1 officer in WA was killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 43. Of the 32 killed feloniously at Seattle Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 43.3; the middle age was 38.5. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.8% of these deaths at Seattle Police Department; July holds the most, 15.9%. Thursdays: 18.2%.
May holds 3.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Thursdays: 14.4%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.3% of all 60 deaths at Seattle Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.9% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Seattle Police Department has 60 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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David M. Sires
Oct 16, 1881
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James L. Wells Nov 28, 1897
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Thomas L. Roberts
Apr 10, 1898
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Enoch E. Breece
Jul 3, 1902
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Albert C. Schaneman
Sep 14, 1903
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Matthias H. Rude
Sep 24, 1910
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Judson P. Davis
Feb 23, 1911
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William Henry Cunliffe
Jun 17, 1911
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Henry Lee Harris
Jul 4, 1911
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Arthur K. Ruckart
Dec 27, 1914
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Lawrence E. Kost
Dec 12, 1915
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John F. Weedin
Jul 24, 1916
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Robert R. Wiley Jul 30, 1916
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Edwin Wilson
Sep 24, 1919
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Volney L. Stevens
Jan 14, 1921
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James J. O'Brien
Jan 21, 1921
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William T. Angle
Jan 22, 1921
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Neil McMillan
Jan 24, 1921
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Charles O. Legate
Mar 17, 1922
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Arthur B. Luntsford
Jan 21, 1923
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Amos J. Comer
Jul 5, 1924
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Robert L. Litsey
Sep 25, 1924
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Fred Ivey
May 10, 1928
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Lyle Florian Tracy
Sep 7, 1928
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Emery Ray Sherard
Sep 15, 1928
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Gene W. Perry
Sep 21, 1930
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Walter G. Cottle
Sep 29, 1930
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Harry E. S. Williams
Aug 2, 1931
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Ralph H. Ahner
Sep 13, 1932
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Ellsworth W. Cordes
Dec 31, 1932
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John S. Donlan
May 20, 1934
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Olof Frank Wilson
Mar 31, 1935
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Trent A. Sickles
Nov 26, 1935
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Theodore E. Stevens
Nov 27, 1935
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Charles Creighton Clarke
Jan 22, 1936
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Con B. Anderson
Sep 27, 1936
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Frederick H. Hull
Nov 15, 1945
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William T. Rumble
Oct 29, 1947
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Harry W. Vosper
Jul 21, 1949
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John T. Clancy, Jr.
Dec 28, 1949
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Frank W. Hardy
Mar 12, 1954
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James C. Brizendine
Jul 21, 1955
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David P. Richards
Sep 1, 1967
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John E. Bartlett
Mar 9, 1968
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Robert Rowland Allshaw
Nov 11, 1968
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Robert D. Ward
May 15, 1969
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Fred Douglas Carr
Feb 25, 1973
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James Melvin Forbes
Jun 21, 1974
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James Howard St. DeLore
Jun 21, 1974
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Dorian Lee Halvorson
Sep 24, 1976
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Jerry Lee Wyant
Oct 26, 1976
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Nicholas Norman Davis
Dec 18, 1984
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Dale Eugene Eggers
Apr 23, 1985
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Antonio Martinez Terry
Jun 4, 1994
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Kenneth Leslie Davis
May 11, 1995
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Gary R. Lindell
Mar 13, 2002
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Jackson Vernon Lone
Mar 16, 2005
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Joselito Alvarez Barber
Aug 13, 2006
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Timothy Quinn Brenton
Oct 31, 2009
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Alexandra Brenneman Harris
Jun 13, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
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