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Incident
Patrolman Robert Bigelow was killed while on his motorcycle patrol. A car driven by a drunk driver ran a stop sign as Patrolman Bigelow entered the intersection. Patrolman Bigelow hit the side of the car and died the following morning of critical head and chest injuries. The driver of the car was never charged for driving under the influence or held responsible for the accident.
Survivors
Patrolman Bigelow was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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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 Bigelow gave the Altoona Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Altoona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bigelow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Altoona Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 417 officers lost to accidents in PA, 33% of the 1,262 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 1933, 5 officers in PA were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 133 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 14.
In 1933, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1933, 94 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 30. Of the 412 lost to accidents in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48.3; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8.6 years.
Robert was 30. 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 30. 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
December holds 10.1% of these deaths in PA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 14.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Altoona Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 33% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, 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
Altoona Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Altoona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
