Prev
James Buford Robinson
Incident
Trooper James Robinson was killed while assisting Talladega police officers in an investigation of a report of a man with a rifle on Battle Street. The man, 24, shot at both Talladega officers, wounding one, before running approximately 10 blocks and entering a home on Chandler Street. The man exited the home and shot Trooper Robinson in the throat. The man was taken into custody after being shot and wounded. Trooper Robinson was a Korean War veteran and had served with the Alabama Department of Public Safety for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn9kfthb8tz03d79d77t- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. James is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Trooper Robinson gave the Alabama Department of Public Safety 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alabama, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Buford Robinson served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alabama Department of Public Safety has lost 29 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 1 officer at Alabama Department of Public Safety was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 2.
In 1972, 3 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 41. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Alabama Department of Public Safety whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 40; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
James was 41. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 41. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety; April holds the most, 28.6%. Sundays: 42.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Sundays: 15.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 24.1% of all 29 deaths at Alabama Department of Public Safety, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Alabama Department of Public Safety has 29 officers remembered here, James among them.
-
William Maury Young
Sep 5, 1936
-
William D. Raiford, Sr.
Oct 16, 1937
-
Arvil O. Hudson
May 18, 1952
-
Henry Preston Bryant
Dec 7, 1952
-
Julian F. Draughon
Oct 3, 1953
-
Howard Milford Brock Nov 8, 1957
-
Joe F. Partin Jul 25, 1960
-
Anthony Scozzaro
Dec 13, 1961
-
Thomas Estes Maxwell Oct 4, 1962
-
Raymond M. Carlton, Sr.
Feb 27, 1965
-
Randolph G. Glover Jul 19, 1967
-
Brooks D. Lawson Jul 31, 1969
-
Thomas Odean Gillilan Jul 1, 1970
-
Harlan B. Blake Oct 10, 1970
-
Ormand Franklin Watkins Apr 11, 1971
-
Riley Delano Smith
Dec 17, 1971
-
James Buford Robinson
Dec 10, 1972
-
Bobby S. Gann
Feb 21, 1974
-
Kenyon M. Lassiter
Apr 19, 1974
-
Julian Douglas Stuckey
Jun 27, 1974
-
Johnnie Earl Booker
Nov 2, 1978
-
David E. Temple
Sep 13, 1979
-
Simmie L. Jeffries
Dec 21, 1984
-
Larry D. Cawyer
May 25, 1985
-
Elizabeth S. Cobb
Oct 11, 1987
-
Robert William Jones
Nov 3, 1991
-
Willis Von Moore
Feb 26, 1996
-
Brian Keith Nichols
Feb 17, 2002
-
Ervin Michael Hawk Johnston, II
Jun 16, 2008
Where
Military Service
James Buford Robinson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Buford Robinson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from Alabama Department of Public Safety are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
