Gone but never forgotten
Manchester continues to honor Tobias and his family
On May 17, 1975, Manchester Township Patrolman Robert
Tobias was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a
late-afternoon traffic stop. He had been with the department for only one year, but 41 years later, his survivors still come down to Washington, D.C. for Police
Week because it continues to help them heal.
“You learn how to function,” related Robert’s sister, Denise Tobias. “Holidays and his birthday are
still hard. But this department has done everything
and anything for us over the years. They never forget.
They’re a phenomenal department and we couldn’t
ask for anything more.”
Law enforcement in the Tobias family goes back generations including Robert’s grandfather who was a Toms River officer and his nephew, also named Robert in his memory, who
is a Point Pleasant Boro officer. And never shying from the
calling even after such tragedy, the late-Robert’s mother, Eleanor, proudly attended her grandson’s academy graduation
ceremony.
Eleanor and Denise have been coming to the capital for Police Week for decades, and were present at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial’s dedication
20 years ago, even remembering the park’s “big trees”
as “just twigs,” Denise illustrated.
As a tribute to Robert – and Eleanor and Denise –
Manchester Township Local 246 sends members each
year to be part of the honor guard that escorts survivors to their seats. Manchester Township Police Chief
Lisa Parker said that the department will continue to
be there to support the Tobias family every year at Police Week and throughout the year.
“I’m lucky because I really truly have a great group of guys
who care about each other like they continue to care about the
Tobias family,” Chief Parker added. “Here we are 41 years later
and they are still invited to every single event we have.” d
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ JUNE 2016 41