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Incident
Patrolman Sonny Robison and Patrolman Allen Harmon were shot and killed after making a traffic stop on I-20 and arresting a man for drunk driving. Unknown to the officers, the suspect was driving a stolen car and had escaped from the Calhoun County Jail on January 26, 1974, while awaiting an appeal of a four-year sentence for burglary. The officers were transporting the man to Talladega to administer a sobriety test. At 1:40 a.m., they were driving on Alabama 77, approximately one mile south of Alabama 78, when the man produced a pistol and shot Patrolman Robison, who was beside him in the back seat. He then shot Patrolman Harmon in the front seat. A third officer, who was driving, exchanged gunfire with the suspect as he fled into the woods. The suspect was apprehended at a Birmingham motel ten days later. On April 18, 1975, the 35-year-old suspect was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison. In November 1980, he escaped from prison. Later that month, he was apprehended in Mount Vernon, Illinois. He died in prison on January 22, 2006. Patrolman Robison had served with the Lincoln Police Department for less than one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and two sisters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Robison served with the Lincoln Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lincoln community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Robison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lincoln Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Otis is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Otis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otis 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 1974, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Otis was 22. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Otis had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Otis was 22. 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. Otis had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otis was 22. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Otis had served 0.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8.9% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Lincoln Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Lincoln Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Otis among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lincoln Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
