New Mexico State Police, New Mexico
End of Watch: Monday, November 8, 1971
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 8, 1971
Weapon Used: Handgun; .45 caliber
Suspect Info: At large
Patrolman Robert Rosenbloom was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-40 at Rio Puerco.
During the stop, a gun battle ensued in which he was struck in the chest and neck with a .45 caliber handgun. The three suspects fled the scene and evaded a massive manhunt. On November 26th the three suspects hijacked a commercial airliner from Albuquerque International Airport and forced it to fly to Cuba.
The three suspects have been identified as members of the terrorist group Republic of Africa. One suspect drowned at the beach in Cuba four years later, another suspect died from throat cancer in Cuba, and a final suspect remains at large in Cuba.
Patrolman Rosenbloom was a U.S. Army veteran and had served in law enforcement for nine years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.