Officer Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr., Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department, Maryland

Officer Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr.

Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department, Maryland

End of Watch Saturday, September 27, 1986

Robert Franklin Pyles, Sr.

Officer Robert Pyles succumbed to a gunshot wound received two weeks earlier after picking up a man who had been walking on the Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge.

While on patrol, he had stopped to assist the man and began to drive him back to his disabled van. Unbeknownst to Officer Pyles, the van had been stolen and the driver was a parole violator wanted for rape, assault, and the attempted murder of three other officers. Before the two got back to the van, the suspect shot Officer Pyles.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to four consecutive life terms.

Officer Pyles had been with the Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department for 19 years.

Bio

Age 54
Tour 19 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Incident Date Thursday, September 18, 1986
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Sentenced to live

Most Recent Reflection

View all 19 Reflections

I saw a link today on Facebook, and so it brought me to my uncles database search. I never really got to know my uncle, as my father and him had a strained relationship, although during his final days, my father apologized to Bob.

This was a senseless act, he probably would have never called in the van tags to find it stolen.

I was proud to know that my Uncle Bob died in what he wanted to do, be a safety officer.

Kenny Pyles
nephew

December 9, 2011