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
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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
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Columbus Division of Police has lost 59 officers; 36 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert 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 1938, 1 officer at Columbus Division of Police was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 34 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 1938, 6 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 41. Of the 36 killed feloniously at Columbus Division of Police whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 35.5. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 41. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 41. 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. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.3% of these deaths at Columbus Division of Police; November holds the most, 13.9%. Saturdays: 22.2%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61% of all 59 deaths at Columbus Division of Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.7% 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
Columbus Division of Police has 59 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Cyrus Beebe Apr 27, 1854
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John Manning Nov 17, 1888
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Abe Kleeman
Sep 15, 1899
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Daniel E. Davis
Jun 7, 1905
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Harry E. Campbell
Dec 24, 1908
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Frank P. Ward
Jun 9, 1911
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William Avery Sexton
Mar 25, 1913
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Joseph Lavender Jun 26, 1913
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James Drayton Ballard
Nov 9, 1914
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John Laufhutte
Aug 22, 1916
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William O'Rourke
Nov 24, 1917
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David Luther Jenkins
Feb 8, 1919
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Adolph G. Schneider
Sep 24, 1920
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Charles E. Tiller
Oct 28, 1920
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Jesse Reall
Feb 26, 1921
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Granison P. Koehler
Nov 28, 1922
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Troy C. Stewart
Apr 22, 1924
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Harry E. Shaffer, Sr.
Mar 9, 1925
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Walter O. Womeldorf
May 29, 1925
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William Schweinsberger
Jan 7, 1926
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Horace D. Elliott
Mar 29, 1927
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Leroy W. Wade
Jan 23, 1928
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Thomas H. Day
Jul 7, 1931
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Leslie Ellsworth Green
Oct 4, 1931
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Ross Porter
Jul 23, 1934
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Edward J. Murphy
May 11, 1935
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Frederick Frank Kundts
Mar 22, 1936
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John P. Sears
Nov 30, 1936
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Robert R. Cline
Feb 5, 1938
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Campbell K. Jenkins
Jan 9, 1939
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John M. McCullough
Jan 18, 1942
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Thomas E. Webb
Aug 17, 1956
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Richard E. Taylor
Jan 19, 1963
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Allen E. Fraley
Nov 6, 1964
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Robert F. Lisska
May 26, 1965
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Daniel Alfred Redding
Jul 27, 1965
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William Gene Wells
Dec 21, 1965
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Lawrence Vernon Kipfinger
Oct 14, 1969
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Curtis L. Staton
Mar 22, 1972
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Joseph Andrew Edwards Aug 28, 1972
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James K. Reed
May 18, 1974
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Dale W. McCann
Jun 7, 1974
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Roger Lee Brown
Aug 11, 1976
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Michael Joseph Bernard Smith
Aug 11, 1976
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Martin W. Yawarsky
Sep 6, 1980
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Gordon Joseph Rich
Apr 5, 1986
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Richard Fickeisen
Jun 1, 1987
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Jane E. Thompson-Bowman
Mar 9, 1989
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Robin H. Nye
Jan 4, 1991
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Raymond E. Radel, Jr.
Apr 25, 1991
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Chris Edward Clites
Dec 10, 1993
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Marc Muncy
Apr 5, 1995
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Keith Lee Evans
Jul 9, 1995
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Christopher Neal Claypool
Apr 29, 2001
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Melissa M. Foster
Dec 4, 2004
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Bryan Scott Hurst
Jan 6, 2005
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Timothy Allen Haley
Aug 26, 2008
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Thomas Raymond Hayes
Jan 20, 2011
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Steven Michael Smith
Apr 12, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
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