Maryland Toll Facilities Police Department, Maryland
End of Watch Saturday, September 27, 1986
Add to My HeroesRobert 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 ReflectionsI 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
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