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Incident
Reserve Deputy Riley was killed in an automobile accident while riding with a Springfield police officer and a merchant patrolman. They were attempting to stop a speeding vehicle when their patrol car collided with a third car being driven by a 20-year-old man who made a left turn in front of them. Their patrol car then left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Reserve Deputy Riley was thrown through the windshield. The speeder was never identified and the other driver was not charged. Reserve Deputy Riley had served with the agency for 4 years. He was survived by his wife and son. His wife served as a matron for the Lane County Sheriff's Department and his son went on to serve with the Eugene Police Department. Deputy Riley was the inventor of a mechanical duck decoy that was in demand nationwide.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
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.
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Riley gave the Lane County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Eugene community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Sheriff Riley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lane County Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in OR, 33.5% of the 197 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 1958, 1 officer in OR was lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 45 years on record. The heaviest was 1961, with 3.
In 1958, 50 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 96th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1958, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 36. Of the 59 lost to accidents in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 44.5; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 36. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 36. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 6.1% of these deaths in OR; May holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 10.6%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Lane County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 33.5% of all 197 deaths in OR, 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
Lane County Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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
6 officers from Lane County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
