Robert Joseph Killen

ROBERT KILLEN PARKLAND, FLORIDA – Robert “Bob” Killen, 73, passed away February 25, 2021 at Broward Health Coral Springs in Coral Springs, Florida, due to complications related to COVID-19. He was born March 4, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. Bob graduated from Kelvyn Park High School in Chicago, Illinois in 1965. He was an insurance agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance for several years before he received his Law Enforcement Certificate from Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois. He moved to Tamarac, Florida in 1978 and graduated from Broward County Police Academy in August 1978. He worked for Tamarac Police Department before he moved on to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and later with Miami Gardens Police Department. He was a member of the International Police Association and was their Region 11 President for many years traveling worldwide to conferences. Throughout his law enforcement career, he worked with and trained K-9 work dogs for the departments he worked at. Bob was an avid sports fan favoring the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears (holding season tickets even after he moved to Florida), and the Chicago BlackHawks as well as the Florida sports teams. He was a fan of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish football team out of South Bend, Indiana and proud of his Irish heritage. He traveled to Ireland several times in pursuing his interest in his Irish roots and history. He started the day with a cup of coffee, but would love to hoist a pint of Guinness when the occasion arose. Bob was of the Catholic Faith and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Boca Raton, Florida. Surviving are his wife of 13 years, Silvia Santos Killen, his four sons and one daughter-in-law, Robert (Lina) Killen of Palm Bay, Florida; Thomas Killen of Parkland, Florida; Mike Killen of Cooper City, Florida; Shane Killen of Cherokee, Iowa; and his sister, Jo Anne Albrecht, of Bourbonnais, Illinois. Bob leaves behind other family, many friends and special people, including Taynara Matias Vento and her children, Isabella and Giuliana Vento; and Gabriel Santos Matias and his daughter, Alicia Calixto Matias. In addition to his son, Sean Killen, Bob was preceded in death by his parents Ann and John Sawczyn; his brother-in-law, Rudy Albrecht; many Aunts and Uncles; and his grandparents. Tribute from South Florida Cops: South Florida Cops for Robert Killen Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Friday, March 5, 2021 at TM Ralph Funeral Homes, 7001 NW 4th St., Plantation, Florida. Mass will be held Friday , 11:00Am At St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church 200 N. University Drive Plantation, FL 33324. Burial will follow in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 South State Road 7, North Lauderdale, Florida. An Outdoor Repast will be held immediately after the burial at the home patio of Silvia Killen 7561 NW 112th Terrace Parkland, FL 33076 Memorials and flowers can be sent to TM Ralph Funeral Homes, Plantation, Florida. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, per CDC guidelines, face masks and social distancing will be required. Arrangements by T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home 954 587-6888