Officer Robert William Wood, Dallas Police Department, Texas

Officer Robert William Wood

Dallas Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Sunday, November 28, 1976

Robert William Wood

Officer Robert W. Wood was shot and killed after he and his partner stopped the driver of a vehicle for driving with no headlights. As Officer Wood approached the vehicle he was shot five times.

A suspect was arrested and sentenced to death for Officer Wood's murder. However, the sentence was overturned 12 years later and the suspect was released. Another suspect, who had testified against the first as a state's witness, was convicted of an unrelated murder, and sentenced to death. Although he had never admitted to Officer Wood's murder, he had provided information about the case to detectives and remained a prime suspect. He was executed for the unrelated murder on June 30, 2004.

Officer Wood had served with the Dallas Police Department for two years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife and is buried at Carson Cemetery in Ector, Texas.

Bio

Age 27
Tour 2 years
Badge 3641
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
Offender Executed in 2004

Most Recent Reflection

View all 34 Reflections

Robert... it has been years but I still recall working West Dallas as partners in the 510s in 1976.. Except for a my visiting family that weekend I would have been partnered with you that night... God knows what would have come of it but I like to think you would still be here. I still remember our "donut lady" in Oak Cliff who always favored you with your favorite donut...if there was such a thing. My last duty was standing watch over you. It was the least I could do for a partner and friend. Till we are called again to meet for duty.

Detective (ret) William Manson
Dallas Police Department

October 26, 2017