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Incident
Corporal Robert Hinson was shot once in the head and killed while responding to a breaking and entering call at the county airport. The two suspects, ages 16 and 17, had called in a false breaking and entering report to lure an officer to an ambush. As Corporal Hinson approached, he was shot and killed without warning at close range. The suspects were apprehended nearby by responding officers. During interviews, one of the suspects reportedly bragged the ambush was an execution to complete gang initiation. Both suspects were tried as adults and sentenced to life in prison with an additional 70 years to run consecutively. As of June 9, 2023, both were in prison. Corporal Hinson was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and served with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Corporal Hinson gave the Columbus County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whiteville 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
Robert Howard Hinson served in the the United States military (1956) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbus County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert 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 1991, 4 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 59. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 59. 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. Robert had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 59. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.9% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Columbus County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.4% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Columbus County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Military Service
Robert Howard Hinson served in the U.S. Army (1956) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Howard Hinson’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 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Columbus County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
