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Incident
Chief of Police Robert Lilly was succumbed to a gunshot wound received the previous day when he went to backup another officer who had been threatened with a handgun. The officer had found a man having sex near a river bank. When the officer attempted to arrest the man the suspect pulled out a handgun. The officer retreated and went for assistance. When Chief Lilly arrived he also attempted to arrest the man, who pulled out the handgun again. Shots were exchanged and both men were wounded. Chief Lilly was transported to a hospital in a neigbhoring town on a special train and the suspect was taken to a local hospital. An angry mob of citizens assaulted the man and hanged him in the town square the following day.
Survivors
Chief Lilly was survived by his wife, two children, father, and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Lilly served with the Elkins Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elkins community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Lilly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elkins Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1901, 3 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1901, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1901, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 49. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39.
Robert was 49. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Robert was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 10.7% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Tuesdays: 19.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Elkins Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.4% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Elkins Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Elkins Police Department are honored on badge.nw.