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

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Robert K. Best

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.

Bio

Age 24
Tour 1 year
Badge 1779

Incident Details

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

foot pursuit, plainclothes, stolen vehicle

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Robert and I were in the Police Academy together in 1981. After graduation he was assigned to the 7 Dist. and I was assigned to the 5 Dist. I never got to see him again, but he was a man of good reputation and as they say he had a good head on his shoulders...

Ofc. Kenneth L. Jones
M.P.D.C. Fifth District

May 15, 2025