P.O. Robert Perkins #16557

Officer Robert Perkins observed an individual matching the description of a wanted burglary offender. As Officer Perkins questioned the suspect, the man resisted and a fierce struggle ensued. During the altercation, Officer Perkins suffered two gunshot wounds. The dedicated officer died as a result of his injuries.
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Officer Perkins is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery in Chicago IL.
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Robert H. Perkins
March 10, 1992 Chicago Tribune

Robert H. Perkins, 45, a Chicago police officer, was slain Saturday while questioning a suspect on a South Side Street. Raised on the South Side, Mr. Perkins graduated from Tilden Technical High School then joined the Marine Corps, where he served in the Vietnam War. After returning to Chicago, he went to work for the city and became a police officer in April 1976. Mr. Perkins is survived by his wife, Mattie; three daughters, Renee Perkins, Ramona Perkins and Tiffany Walker; three brothers; and a sister.

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The suspect involved in Officer Perkins death has had a long history of criminal activity and multiple trips through the criminal justice system. The offender was then currently released from prison 10 months earlier after serving half of a sentence stemming from another murder. Had he been serving the full term this tragedy would have been avoided. This is an example of how the system changed to keep violent offenders behind bars longer in order to prevent these types of tragedies. He is currently serving a life sentence for his murder of Officer Perkins.