Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, February 7, 1997
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: 3170
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: February 7, 1997
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Police Officer Robert Vargas was killed in an on-duty crash while responding to a vehicle pursuit.
As he entered the intersection of NW 54th Street and 24th Avenue, with his emergency equipment activated, he was struck by another vehicle that ran a stop sign. That vehicle pushed his patrol car into a third vehicle. Officer Vargas was killed instantly.
Officer Vargas was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for three years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and mother.