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Ralph Robinson
Incident
Location: Oklahoma Weapon: Rifle; .38 caliber Offender: Sentenced to life
Special Agent Ralph Robinson was shot and killed while confronting coal thieves on a train near the Rock Island yards in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, shortly after 1:00 a.m.
It is believed that he had placed at least one burglar under arrest and was walking him to the police station when he was shot by another gunman. Agent Robinson was shot three times with a .38 caliber handgun and his body was found in the morning by a railroad employee. 112 people were taken into custody the following day during a massive search for the killers.
The suspect, 26, was eventually arrested after fleeing to Texas from Oklahoma. The suspect bragged to a girlfriend that he had killed a railroad agent in Oklahoma. When the girlfriend's father learned of the murder he alerted Texas authorities who arrested the suspect and returned him to Oklahoma. On September 16, 1926, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Agent Robinson was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department for about one year, and was survived by his wife and child.
Survivors
Agent Robinson was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department for about one year, and was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Special Agent Robinson gave the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Robinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has lost 13 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph 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 1926, 1 officer at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 3.
In 1926, 17 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 32. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 48; the middle age was 42. Ralph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Ralph was 32. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 32. 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. Ralph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 23.1% of these deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
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 13 deaths at Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle; .38 caliber, in 7.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .38 caliber, in 0.1% 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 rifle; .38 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; .38 caliber, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
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Andrew Creason Sep 19, 1903
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Claude H. McDonald Mar 26, 1911
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Hugo P. A. Alvine
Dec 9, 1915
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Charles F. Artz
Jun 27, 1920
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Will C. Reed
Jul 4, 1920
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William E. Waers Jan 11, 1922
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Alfred Allen Gifford
Jun 27, 1922
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Thomas P. Griffin Nov 15, 1923
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Ralph Robinson Mar 31, 1926
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Archibald D. Brandon
Apr 19, 1931
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Rube Tom Pollock
Mar 8, 1934
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Edwin C. Shane Apr 17, 1934
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John W. Whitted Apr 17, 1934
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
