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Incident
Officer Bobby Kozminski was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at a home on Emerald Avenue NE at approximately 1:40 am.
Officer Kozminski responded to a call of a man with a gun threatening to shoot others at the location. Shortly after arriving at the location, he was shot when he went to the rear of the residence to establish a perimeter. Unknown to the officer, the suspect was lying in wait in the garage at the rear of the residence. From that location, the suspect ambushed Officer Kozminski, shooting him in the head with a shotgun round through the glass of the closed garage door. Another officer fired one shot but did not hit the suspect.
Other officers were able to reach Officer Kozminski and carried him to a police cruiser. He was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital where he died from his wounds.
The suspect was taken into custody and charged with murder. He was subsequently convicted of first degree murder in March 2008 and sentenced to life in prison with no parole.
Officer Kozminski had served with the Grand Rapids Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He is survived by a three-year-old daughter, parents, and six siblings.
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.
Police Officer Kozminski gave the Grand Rapids Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Kozminski.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grand Rapids Police Department has lost 15 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 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 2007, 1 officer at Grand Rapids Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 2007, 2 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 2007, 84 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2007, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 29. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Grand Rapids Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.5; the middle age was 33.5. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 10.4 years.
Robert was 29. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 29. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 29. 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 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 12.5% of these deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department; December holds the most, 50%. Sundays: 25%.
July holds 9.2% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 16.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 15 deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Grand Rapids Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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George W. Powers
Aug 22, 1895
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Henry Slater
Sep 4, 1907
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Millard F. Davis
Aug 25, 1916
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Charles Irving DeYoung
Jun 7, 1920
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George David Geng
May 18, 1921
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Gerrit George Brandsma
Dec 7, 1921
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Samuel Slater, Jr.
Dec 9, 1921
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John Meiboom
Oct 10, 1925
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Francis Marion Gallup
May 13, 1946
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Stanley Van Tuinen
Dec 3, 1966
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Wayne Vonk
Jan 19, 1969
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Herman Reinhold Gloe
Dec 12, 1974
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Joseph Floyd Taylor
Nov 17, 1986
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Daniel Craig Duyst
May 30, 1994
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Robert Anthony Kozminski
Jul 8, 2007
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
