Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Tuesday, February 9, 1988
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: 67-20
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: February 9, 1988
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Robert Wallis was killed when he was struck by a man fleeing other officers.
Detective Wallis and his partner were in an unmarked cruiser monitoring the chase of a suspect who had just committed an armed robbery. The suspect was driving northbound on Tennyson Street directly towards their unmarked cruiser at West 48th Avenue and Tennyson Street. The two detectives attempted to escape their vehicle, but Detective Wallis was struck by the suspect as he attempted to run across the street. The suspect was later shot and killed by other officers.
Detective Wallis had been with the Denver Police Department for over 20 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, sister, and a 5-day-old granddaughter.