Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 15, 1982
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: 1779
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 15, 1982
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Officer Robert Best was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of an auto theft suspect in an apartment complex at 3200 Curtis Drive in Suitland, Maryland.
He and his partner were working a plainclothes detail when they observed the stolen vehicle. They chased the vehicle into Maryland where the suspects bailed out with the officers in pursuit. As Officer Best rounded the corner of a building the suspect placed a gun to his head and fired.
The first shot missed, but as Officer Best fell the man shot him twice in the back. The man was shot and wounded by other officers before committing suicide.
Officer Best had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for one year.