Samuel J. Robins
Agency patch
Patrolman

Samuel J. Robins

Cincinnati Police Department — Cincinnati, OH
Felonious
End of Watch April 25, 1916
Age 43
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 31 ›
Gender Male

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
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 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

Location Cincinnati, OH
Platform Identity cincpd.hamilton.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 25, 1916
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 43
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .25 caliber
Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Samuel J. Robins 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 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 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Cincinnati Police Department
63
of 106 officers
59.4% Felonious
OH — Statewide
572
of 991 officers
57.7% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel J. Robins's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Samuel J. Robins Compares

Age at End of Watch
43
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
11
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel J. Robins is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel J. Robins was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location