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Robert H. Holtman
Incident
Guard Robert Holtman was pushed and then beaten to death by an inmate who had been disobeying him.
After being pushed, Guard Holtman was attempting to draw his weapon when the inmate struck him on the head with a metal pipe, causing fatal injuries. The suspect escaped from the state penitentiary in Baltimore, but was eventually apprehended in New York state. He was returned to Maryland where he was found guilty of murdering Guard Holtman and sentenced to death. The suspect was hung at the state penitentiary on August 14th, 1926.
The suspect was a member of a New York City gang that had robbed merchants. On November 2nd, 1926, two other members of the gang attempted to escape from the Tombs Jail in New York City. During the escape attempt, the suspects murdered Warden Peter Mallon and Keeper Jeremiah Murphy. Both suspects committed suicide during the failed escape attempt.
Guard Holtman was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Guard Holtman was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Guard Holtman served with the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maryland. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Holtman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1925, 1 officer at Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 2006, with 2.
In 1925, 2 officers in MD were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction; July holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
February holds 10.3% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction. The weapon recorded was blunt object; pipe, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; pipe, in 0.5% 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 blunt object; pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; pipe, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction has 6 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Division of Correction are honored on badge.nw.
