Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Atkins and Patrolman Wayne Olson were shot and killed in front of the police station as they began their shift. For several days, all shifts had been doubled due to a recent rash of burglaries, including three at the police station. Shortly after midnight, a citizen heard several gunshots in front of the city hall. At approximately 4:00 a.m., units began looking for the officers who failed to respond to radio calls. Patrolman Olson's body was located behind some bushes in front of town hall, and Patrolman Atkins' body was found in the woods just south of town hall. An all-day search led officers to the home of a 16-year-old boy. Evidence of the burglaries and murders was found in his bedroom. The suspect was declared insane and committed to a mental institution. He was released in 2013. Patrolman Atkins had served with the Summit Township Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WI-D1E56470- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Atkins gave the Summit Township Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oconomowoc community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Atkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert E. Atkins Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In WI, 159 of 317 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50.2% of this state's fallen. That is 50.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Summit Township 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. Robert E. Atkins Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Robert E. Atkins Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert E. Atkins Jr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert E. Atkins Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Summit Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
