Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Robey was stabbed to death while attempting to quell a disturbance in the Baptist Alley section of town. He was attacked by two men, one whom held him as the other stabbed him 19 times.
The two men fled the scene but were both apprehended later in the day. One of the suspects was convicted of Policeman Robey's murder and executed in the electric chair on July 8, 1911. He was the first person to die in Kentucky's new electric chair.
Policeman Robey was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Policeman Robey was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-05F94CB0- 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.
Night Policeman Robey served with the Lebanon Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lebanon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Robey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman John Austin Robey 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 Lebanon 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. John Austin Robey's cause is highlighted.
How John Austin Robey Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1911
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Austin Robey is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Austin Robey was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lebanon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
