Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Robert Cline was shot and killed in a fierce shootout between four bank robbers. Three of the robbers were shot and killed, and several other officers were critically wounded. The fourth robber was shot in the spine and paralyzed. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On April 6, 1938, he died on death row of complications from his wounds two weeks before his scheduled execution. Detective Cline had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-47BF6792- 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.
Detective Cline gave the Columbus Division of Police 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Cline.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Robert R. Cline 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 Columbus Division of Police, 36 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert R. Cline's cause is highlighted.
How Robert R. Cline Compares
Offender Outcome
4 shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert R. Cline is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert R. Cline was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Columbus Division of Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
