Town of Windermere remembers Officer Robbie German

The town of Windermere and the Windermere Police Department are remembering Officer Robert “Robbie” German.

Nine years ago today, the town lost German who was slain in the line of duty on March 22, 2014. 

German, 31, who was unmarried and did not have children, served as a WPD officer for more than five years. He was born in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, and moved to Florida at the age of 5.

German grew up in Sanford and Lake Mary and became a year-round soccer player, progressing to club select/travel teams during his middle and high school years. German graduated from Lake Mary High School in 2001 and received an athletic scholarship to attend South Georgia College, where he studied business.

Following work in airport operations, involving security and interaction with local police departments, German realized his growing interest in law enforcement and decided to attend the Police Academy at Seminole State College.

German served with the WPD for five years. 

Since the loss of German, the community has come together to honor his memory in myriad ways. 

German's name was inscribed on a new piece of workout equipment at the Roper YMCA, the Windermere post office was renamed after German, the WPD created the Windermere Police Foundation and the town holds several events a year to honor German's memory, just to name a few. 

In an email to the town on Wednesday, March 22, WPD Chief Dave Ogden said: "Honor is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon someone and their memory. Officer German’s legacy is forever ingrained into the heart of our police department. Today and every day, we remember his sacrifice. We remember how he loved this town and being a good community-oriented police officer. Gone but not forgotten. Rest in peace, brother; we continue the watch from here.”