Incident
Detective Robert Alexander was shot and killed in Warwick, New York while investigating an armed robbery. Police had learned that the suspect would be at the Post Office on Warwick's Main Street at a certain time. Detective Alexander spotted the suspect, who wore a disguise. He didn't pull his gun as he approached the suspect and grabbed the upper part of his body. The subject had a gun in his coat pocket and fired it three times into Detective Alexander, fatally wounding him. The suspect was killed moments later in a shootout with Paterson officers and state troopers. Detective Alexander was transported to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later. Detective Alexander had served with the agency for 27 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqganjksskm5392c190j- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Alexander gave the Paterson Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Paterson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Alexander.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Paterson Police Department has lost 11 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 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 1935, 1 officer at Paterson Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 2 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 62. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Paterson Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26.8 and 50.8; the middle age was 37.5. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Robert was 62. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Robert was 62. 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 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 62. 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 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Paterson Police Department; January holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 20%.
June holds 3.8% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Thursdays: 13.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45.5% of all 11 deaths at Paterson Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 12.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Paterson Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
-
James J. Kelly Feb 11, 1922
-
James Thomas Baldini
Sep 9, 1928
-
Robert J. Alexander
Jun 6, 1935
-
James H. Graves Feb 4, 1936
-
Timothy F. O'Brien
Sep 10, 1994
-
Enrico Venditte
May 23, 2001
-
Tyron Donta Franklin
Jan 7, 2007
-
Tamby Yagan
Apr 22, 2018
-
Francesco Sebastiano Scorpo
Apr 12, 2020
-
Anthony Joseph Lucanto
Nov 5, 2020
-
John M. Phelan
Mar 7, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Paterson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.







