Park Police Officer Robert R. Golden

Robert R. Golden

Park Police Officer Robert Golden was shot and killed while off duty when he intervened in a robbery in a tavern at the intersection of Higgins Road and Barlett Road in Barrington Township, Illinois.

Officer Golden ducked behind the bar when three men entered the tavern with shotguns and announced a robbery. When one of the robbers vaulted over the bar and snatched $80 from the till Officer Golden stood up and demanded that the robbers drop their guns. One of the robbers shot Officer Golden in the face. All three suspects, 18, 18, and 19, were apprehended within four days. The gunman was apprehended in San Diego, California, an hour after he was inducted into the U.S. Navy.

On February 21st, 1957, all three suspects were convicted of Officer Golden's murder. The suspect who shot him was sentenced to life in prison. The other two were sentenced to 40 years 14 years in prison, respectively.

Officer Golden was survived by his wife and two children.