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Incident
Chief of Police Burr Robertson was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant from Kansas for the murder of a Santa Fe Railroad agent three years earlier in Pittsburg, Kansas. Chief Robertson and a deputy had gone to the Missouri C North Arkansas railroad station in Harrison, where the man was employed, after confirming an admission by the man's wife that he was wanted for the murder. When the suspect saw the officers, he opened fire, striking Chief Robertson three times. The suspect was arrested and convicted of Chief Robertson's murder. He later died in prison. Chief Robertson had served with the Harrison Police Department for only three months but had been in law enforcement for a total of twenty years, previously serving with the Hawthorne, California, Police Department and Frederick, Colorado, Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Robertson gave the Harrison Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Harrison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Robertson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harrison Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Burr is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Burr is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Burr is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 5 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Burr was 47. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Burr had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Burr was 47. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Burr had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Burr was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Burr had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Harrison Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Harrison Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Burr among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Harrison Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
