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William Morris Robinson
Incident
Police Officer William Robinson was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance in which a man was beating his wife on Benkard Avenue in Newburgh. The suspect holed up inside his house and engaged officers in a shootout. Officer Robinson was fatally struck as he took cover behind his patrol car. It took several minutes for help to reach Officer Robinson. The suspect, 23, was arrested at the scene. On October 9, 1975, the suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. Officer Robinson was a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and had served with the Newburgh City Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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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.
Police Officer Robinson gave the Newburgh City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Newburgh community, 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
William Morris Robinson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newburgh City Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 1973, 11 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 29. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 29. 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. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Sundays: 13.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Newburgh City Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.2% 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
Newburgh City Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William Morris Robinson served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Morris 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 16-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Newburgh City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
