Officer Robert White #2325
Killed in the Line of Duty January 27, 1985
1959 - 1985 Age 25 Tour 2 years
We Honor the Sacrifice He Made
On January 27, 1985, Officer White was working the midnight shift. At 0200 hours, a vehicle accident occurred on Tumble Way at Old Piedmont Road. A vehicle drove into the side yard of a residence on Tumble Way and struck a large metal box knocking it off its concrete base. Communications broadcasted the accident and Officer White answered the call even though it was not in his district. He was the first to arrive and began investigating the accident.
The large metal box that had been struck by the vehicle was a 12,000 volt PG&E transferring station used as backup power for the entire neighborhood. The equipment had been designed to shut down in the event of any damage, however, it malfunctioned and remained “hot” electrifying the pickup. As Officer White touched the front bumper of the vehicle, he became a grounding point and was electrocuted.
Two nearby citizens pulled Officer White’s body away from the vehicle and started CPR. Despite the efforts of citizens, fellow officers, paramedics and doctors, Officer White was pronounced dead at 0359 hours.
Officer White was the fifth San Jose Police Officer killed in the line of duty.
