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Incident
Patrolman Robert Woodall was killed when his patrol car slid on an icy road and struck a tree at 45089 East Hamilton Street while he was patrolling near Oberlin Reservoir. Patrolman Woodall was working the midnight shift and was last seen at approximately 4:30 a.m. Fellow officers became concerned when he failed to respond to radio calls. They began a search for his location. At 6:23 a.m., officers located Patrolman Woodall's cruiser, which had left the icy roadway on East Hamilton Street near Parsons road and sustained heavy damage after striking a tree. He was located, deceased, inside the vehicle. Patrolman Woodall had served with the Oberlin Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, father, sister, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Patrolman Woodall gave the Oberlin Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oberlin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Woodall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Oberlin Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 4 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1971, 79 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1971, 91 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 24. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 24. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Oberlin Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Oberlin Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Oberlin Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
