Roll of Honor
Incident
Corporal Robert Hinson was shot once in the head and killed while responding to a breaking and entering call at the county airport. The two suspects, ages 16 and 17, had called in a false breaking and entering report to lure an officer to an ambush. As Corporal Hinson approached, he was shot and killed without warning at close range. The suspects were apprehended nearby by responding officers. During interviews, one of the suspects reportedly bragged the ambush was an execution to complete gang initiation. Both suspects were tried as adults and sentenced to life in prison with an additional 70 years to run consecutively. As of June 9, 2023, both were in prison. Corporal Hinson was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and served with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-2A4851B5- 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 Robert. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Corporal Hinson gave the Columbus County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Whiteville community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Howard Hinson served in the Army (1973â1979) before joining law enforcement.
Corporal Robert Howard Hinson 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Columbus County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Howard Hinson's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Howard Hinson Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Gunfire
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Howard Hinson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Howard Hinson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Columbus County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
