Incident
Patrolman Robert Broshears was struck and killed while investigating an accident on I-70 (modern-day I-55/64) near the Poplar Street Bridge at about 2:10 pm.
A semitrailer skidded off the wet road surface and struck Patrolman Broshears and two tow truck drivers.
Patrolman Broshears had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for four years. He was single.
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 Broshears gave the East St. Louis Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Broshears.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 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 1977, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1977, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1977, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 25. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Robert had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 25. 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 25. 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
June holds 7.1% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 17.2%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 18.2% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, 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
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.









