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Incident
Sergeant Robert Bittick and Deputy Commissioner Claude Everett Swackhammer, of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, were killed in an airplane accident in British Columbia, Canada, just north of Haines, Alaskaa. Sergeant Bittick was piloting the plane back to Juneau when it crashed during a period of bad weather. Sergeant Bittick had served with the Alaska State Troopers for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four adult children and their spouses, and 7 grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Bittick gave the Alaska State Troopers 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alaska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Bittick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Alaska State Troopers has lost 12 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 14 officers lost to accidents in AK, 28% of the 50 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, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer at Alaska State Troopers was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1994, 2 officers in AK were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1964, with 3.
In 1994, 81 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 26th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1994, 105 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 15th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 55. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Alaska State Troopers whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 40; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Robert was 55. Of the 14 lost to accidents in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 28.3 and 46.3; the middle age was 37. Robert had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Robert was 55. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 55. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Alaska State Troopers; December holds the most, 60%. Tuesdays: 40%.
October holds 28.6% of these deaths in AK, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 35.7%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 41.7% of all 12 deaths at Alaska State Troopers, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 50 deaths in AK, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Alaska State Troopers has 12 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Dennis Finbar Cronin
Feb 18, 1974
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Larry Robert Carr
Dec 11, 1974
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Frank Stuart Rodman
Dec 11, 1974
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Roland Edgar Chevalier, Jr.
Apr 3, 1982
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Troy Lynn Duncan
May 19, 1984
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Robert Lee Bittick
Oct 11, 1994
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Bruce Alan Heck
Jan 10, 1997
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Hans-Peter Roelle
Nov 24, 2001
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Tage Brandel Toll
Mar 30, 2013
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Gabriel Lenox Rich
May 1, 2014
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Patrick Scott Johnson
May 1, 2014
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Curtis Matthew Worland
Dec 13, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Alaska State Troopers are honored on badge.nw.
