Guard Robert H. Holtman
Maryland State Division of Correction
Maryland
End of Watch: Saturday, February 21, 1925

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: Friday, February 20, 1925
Weapon Used: Blunt object; Pipe
Suspect Info: Hung on August 14, 1926

Guard Holtman was pushed and then beaten to death by an inmate who had been disobeying him. After being pushed, Guard Holtman was attempting to draw his weapon when the inmate struck him on the head with a metal pipe, causing fatal injuries. The suspect escaped from the state penitentiary in Baltimore, but was eventually apprehended in New York state. He was returned to Maryland where he was found guilty of murdering Guard Holtman and sentenced to death. The suspect was hung at the state penitentiary on August 14, 1926.

The suspect was a member of a New York City gang that had robbed merchants. On November 2, 1926, two other members of the gang attempted to escape from the Tombs Jail in New York City. During the escape attempt, the suspects murdered Warden Peter Mallon and Keeper Jeremiah Murphy. Both suspects committed suicide during the failed escape attempt.

Guard Holtman was survived by his wife.

Related Line of Duty Deaths

Warden Peter J. Mallon New York City Department of Correction, NY EOW: Wednesday, November 3, 1926 Cause of Death: Gunfire

Keeper Jeremiah Murphy New York City Department of Correction, NY EOW: Wednesday, November 3, 1926 Cause of Death: Gunfire