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Incident
Jail Master David Robinson was shot and killed during an escape attempt by two inmates from the old county jail on Third Street, adjacent to the courthouse in East Cambridge. The inmate who shot Jail Master Robinson was awaiting trial for the murder of Patrolman Lawrence W. Gorman of the Cambridge Police Department on September 3rd, 1960. The man committed suicide three days after murdering Jail Master Robinson when police stormed a Boston apartment where he was hiding. The second inmate, who was awaiting trial for the murder of a clerk in a Saugus clothing store, was captured four days later while robbing a store in New Hampshire. He was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison. In December 1985 he escaped from prison and he remained at large until March 22nd, 2005, when he was arrested in Chicago, Illinois. He was denied parole on January 12th, 2010. Jail Master Robinson had served with the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office for 27 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Jail Master Robinson gave the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Medford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jail Master Robinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Middlesex County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1961, 1 officer in MA was killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1961, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 53. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. David had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
David was 53. 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. David had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.5% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 14.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Middlesex County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.1% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Middlesex County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Middlesex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
