Officer Robert K. Best, Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia

Officer Robert K. Best

Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia

End of Watch Wednesday, December 15, 1982

Robert K. Best

Officer Robert Best was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of an auto theft suspect. Officer Best and his partner were working a plainclothes detail when they observed the stolen vehicle. They chased the vehicle into Suitland, 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 Officer Best's head and fired.

The first shot missed, but as Officer Best fell the suspect shot him twice in the back. The suspect was shot and wounded by other officers before committing suicide.

Officer Best had served with the agency for 1 year.

Bio

Age 24
Tour 1 year
Badge 1779

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Maryland
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Committed suicide

Most Recent Reflection

View all 17 Reflections

I was nine when I was told that my cousin was killed, I felt a lump in my throat and I could not speak. I went to bed that night and the next morning that sinking feeling hit me all over again. He taught me how to fight and then he would beat me up (smile). I learned at his funeral that his name was Robert as I only ever heard him called Bobby. I still miss getting nuckle noogies from him.

Ty Wilson

May 29, 2015