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Incident
Chief of Police Bob Hardy was killed in an automobile crash on Route 1 when a vehicle crossed the centerline and struck his patrol car head-on at 2:35 p.m. The other driver was also killed. Chief Hardy had served with the Rowley Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Chief of Police Hardy gave the Rowley Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rowley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Hardy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rowley Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 158 officers lost to accidents in MA, 33.7% of the 469 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 1973, 2 officers in MA were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 86 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1973, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1973, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 43. Of the 154 lost to accidents in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Robert was 43. 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 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 43. 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 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.2% of these deaths in MA; August holds the most, 12.7%. Mondays: 9.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Rowley Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.7% of all 469 deaths in MA, 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
Rowley Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Rowley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
