John Robinson

Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison — Helena, MT

Felonious

End of Watch March 8, 1908

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Deputy Warden John Robinson was stabbed to death during an escape attempt at the Montana State Prison. He had escorted two prisoners to the wardens office to answer for some minor offence. As he closed the door both prisoners attacked both him and the warden with penknives. The warden was able to produce a pistol and shot both prisoners. Deputy Warden Robinson's jugular vein was severed and he bled to death at the scene. The warden, whose throat had been cut, was seriously injured. Both prisoners recovered from their wounds and were convicted of Deputy Warden Robinson's murder. They were both hanged; one on June 15, 1908; the other on April 7, 1909.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MT-8F7617C1
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. 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.
Deputy Warden Robinson served with the Montana Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Montana. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Warden Robinson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison

Location Helena, MT

Platform Identity mdcspcorr.lewisclark.mt.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 8, 1908

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Offender Executed

Deputy Warden John Robinson 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 MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 11.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Montana Department of Corrections - State Prison

of 4 officers

50% Felonious

MT — Statewide

of 142 officers

65.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious