Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Robinson was killed when his patrol car was forced off of the roadway and struck a group of trees while chasing two robbery suspects at about 2:00 am.
He and a second officer had initiated a pursuit of two suspects who had just robbed a man at gunpoint. Less than one minute after the pursuit started the driver of the car slammed on the brakes and suddenly swerved in an attempt to cause a crash on New Allen just north of Frayser Boulevard. Patrolman Robinson swerved as well, left the roadway, and struck a stand of trees.
He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The vehicles were traveling at an estimated 50 mph at the time of the crash. The second officer in the chase was able to arrest both suspects at the scene. Both men were found guilty of first-degree murder, evading arrest, and aggravated robbery and sentenced to life.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-C7150CEA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Robinson gave the Memphis Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Robinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Harold Robinson, Jr. 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Harold Robinson, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Harold Robinson, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Harold Robinson, Jr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
