Greenwich Police Mourn Passing of retired Detective Robert McKiernan, 49

June 10, 2020

New Fairfield resident and Retired Greenwich Police Detective Robert McKiernan passed away from cancer this past Saturday June 6, 2020. Detective McKiernan began his twenty-three-year career with the Greenwich Police Department on April 14, 1997, and retired in February of this year. He was 49 years old.

He was born in Houston on June 13, 1970, to Patricia Schmidt McKiernan of Southbury and the late Robert Paul McKiernan. He graduated from Windham High School in Willimantic and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury with a degree in justice and law.

McKiernan served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1988 to 1992, where he achieved the rank of corporal. He served as an air-crewman and gunner on CH-46E helicopters while deployed to the Persian Gulf. He was also stationed in West Africa and in the Mediterranean.

“Detective McKernan's passion for seeking out the truth for victims of crime was second to none,” Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey said in a statement. “Detective McKiernan exemplified the core values of the Greenwich Police Department with his dedication, diligence, service, fairness, and respect to everyone he encountered.”

Detective McKiernan's career included assignments as Patrol Officer, Accident Car Investigator, Neighborhood Resource Officer (now known as Community Impact Officer), and Detective. In 2012 he was cross-deputized as a federal agent and assigned as a Task Force Officer for an FBI Financial Crimes Task Force in New Haven, CT. He received the Greenwich Police Department's Chief's Commendation five times, was GPD Officer of the Month three times, and received a Medal for Outstanding Service from the Connecticut State Police.

In 2007, then Neighborhood Resource Officer McKiernan was awarded the Greenwich Lions Club, Dr. John Clarke Police Officer of the Year award for the excellent work he and his fellow officers completed that year to improve the Greenwich community. He received four Awards of Recognition and was designated the Task Force Officer of the Year in 2016 by the Connecticut U.S. Attorney's Office

He is survived by his wife, Abby and three sons, Sean, Ben, and John McKiernan and his sister, Kelly.

According to his death notice, McKiernan loved spending time on Cape Cod with his extended family and was a gifted storyteller.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.