Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Samuel Robins was shot and killed by a man who had just attempted to rob a pawn shop at Longworth and Central Avenues. The pawnshop owner had chased the subject from the store. Patrolman Robins had been assigned to guard a temporary polling station at 722 West 9th Street, and the man inadvertently ran towards that location with the store owner in pursuit. Patrolman Robins was able to take the man into custody, but as they walked back towards the pawnshop, the man pulled out his revolver and shot him in the side. The suspect attempted to flee again but was shot and killed by Detective Albert Wegener, who was himself killed in the line of duty the following year. The Greater Cincinnati Firefighters Memorial sits on the spot where Patrolman Robins was killed. It is also the location where Substitute Patrolman James Gallagher, end of watch March 26, 1876, and Detective Albert Wegener and Policeman George LePoris, end of watch November 12, 1917, were killed. Patrolman Robins had served with the Cincinnati Police Division for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and a 5-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-3FD2EF3E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Samuel. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Robins gave the Cincinnati Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Robins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Samuel J. Robins 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel J. Robins's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel J. Robins Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel J. Robins is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel J. Robins was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
105 officers from Cincinnati Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
