Last watch: 3/21/1981
Officer Backes served with the Germantown Police Department for 11 years before he was killed in the line of duty on March 21, 1981. Officer Backes was on third shift, traveling down highway 145 in Germantown, WI when he noticed a person who was driving with a flat tire. Officer Backes initiated a traffic stop with the intention of helping the motorist. The motorist turned out to be drunk and not want his help and decided to fight Officer Backes. The two were struggling and both of them were hit by oncoming traffic. Officer Backes died at the scene and the other subject died several days later.
Officer Backes will never be forgotten. His brothers and sisters in blue made sure of this. The Germantown Police Explorer Post is numbered after Officer Backes radio call number, 734. His memory will never be forgotten because he is remembered and honored everytime an Explorer puts on his/her uniform and looks at Germatown Police Explorer Post 734.
Officer Robert Backes was 35 years old when he was killed.
Officer Backes memorial is located at location II in the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial in Madison, Wi.
