Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Lon Robinson was shot and killed as he and a United States deputy marshal attempted serving a search warrant on a man for possessing liquor at his home in the Happy Hollow area of Pikeville.
A handgun and a bottle of whiskey were taken from the suspect, and as they walked him from the house, he pulled out a second handgun and opened fire. Policeman Robinson was struck in the chest and killed, and the deputy marshal was struck in the leg and wounded. The deputy marshal was able to return fire and mortally wounded the suspect, age 27.
Policeman Robinson's death turned into a double tragedy. His wife, said to be very despondent, committed suicide a few days later.
Policeman Robinson's death turned into a double tragedy. His wife, said to be very despondent, committed suicide a few days later.
No 'Longer Forgotten: Pikeville Police Department digs into past to honor fallen officer
Posted on May 16, 2020
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (WYMT) - It has been 91 years since Alonzo "Lon" Robinson was killed in the line of duty.
The former Pikeville police officer was killed responding to a call related to the illegal sale of alcohol on May 16, 1929.
According to newspaper articles from that time, the 39-year-old officer was shot by Bruce Little of Floyd County in the Happy Hollow community of Pikeville when he searched a home for illegal alcohol.
Since then, Robinson's death has faded into the background. Until the Pikeville Police Department brought it into the spotlight.
"I just wish we knew more about Lon Robinson to honor that a little more. But all we know is just the archives that we get to read and see," said PPD Chief Chris Edmonds.
One year after PPD officer Scotty Hamilton was killed, his name was added to the National Peace Officers' Memorial in Washington, DC. After attending the ceremony for Hamilton, then-captain Aaron Thompson worked with Police Clerk Elizabeth Thompson to have Robinson added as well.
"They both researched, done data checks, found everything they needed. And we presented. We even found the commission meeting minutes of when he was sworn in and everything years ago," Chris Edmonds. "So much history around here we don't know about."
That research was successful in finding family members to help get the ball rolling. Now, though Thompson has retired, the mission is complete.
Robinson's name was added to the memorial this week in a virtual ceremony and the officers were able to honor him on Peace Officers' Memorial Day by placing a wreath on his once-overgrown grave.
"We didn't live it; didn't see no part of it. But we still want to honor it and still remember it. Because Scotty, of course, he died fighting a drug war and- back in that day- Lon died fighting an alcohol war," Edmonds said.
They say it was a blessing to put a face with his name and put his name where it belongs: forever engraved in history.
"It's just the different wars and different sagas that police officers see during their careers that they were fighting to make it better for. So it's great to honor that," Edmonds said.
Retired Police Officer NYPD May 17th, 2020
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- April 2, 2026
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- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Robinson served with the Pikeville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pikeville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Robinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Alonzo "Lon" Robinson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pikeville Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alonzo "Lon" Robinson's cause is highlighted.
How Alonzo "Lon" Robinson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alonzo "Lon" Robinson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alonzo "Lon" Robinson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Pikeville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
