Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Sonny Robison and Patrolman Allen Harmon were shot and killed after making a traffic stop on I-20 and arresting a man for drunk driving. Unknown to the officers, the suspect was driving a stolen car and had escaped from the Calhoun County Jail on January 26, 1974, while awaiting an appeal of a four-year sentence for burglary. The officers were transporting the man to Talladega to administer a sobriety test. At 1:40 a.m., they were driving on Alabama 77, approximately one mile south of Alabama 78, when the man produced a pistol and shot Patrolman Robison, who was beside him in the back seat. He then shot Patrolman Harmon in the front seat. A third officer, who was driving, exchanged gunfire with the suspect as he fled into the woods. The suspect was apprehended at a Birmingham motel ten days later. On April 18, 1975, the 35-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison. In November 1980, he escaped from prison. Later that month, he was apprehended in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He died in prison on January 22, 2006. Patrolman Robison had served with the Lincoln Police Department for less than one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-4A2F1D30- 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 Robison served with the Lincoln Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lincoln community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Robison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Otis Lee "Sonny" Robison 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lincoln 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. Otis Lee "Sonny" Robison's cause is highlighted.
How Otis Lee "Sonny" Robison Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Otis Lee "Sonny" Robison is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Otis Lee "Sonny" Robison was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lincoln Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
