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Incident
Patrolman Robert Beghtol drowned while conducting an underwater scuba exercise with other members of the agency's scuba team. They were diving in the reservoir near the intersection of W 60th ASvenue and Tennyson Street when Patrolman Beghtol incurred cramps due to the cold water. His equipment then became entangled with debris in the bottom of the pit, preventing him from surfacing. Patrolman Beghtol had served with the Arvada Police Department for 2-1/2 years. His grandfather was the first uniformed policeman to serve full-time on the agency.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, parents, sister, and grandparents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Patrolman Beghtol gave the Arvada Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arvada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Beghtol.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arvada Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 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 1961, 4 officers in CO were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1961, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1961, 76 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 26. Of the 79 lost to accidents in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Robert had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 26. 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 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 26. 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 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.9% of these deaths in CO, more than any other month. Fridays: 16.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Arvada Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 361 deaths in CO, 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
Arvada Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Arvada Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
