Patrolman Samuel J. Robins

Samuel J. Robins

Patrolman Samuel Robins was shot and killed by a man who had just attempted to rob a pawn shop at Longworth and Central Avenues.

The pawnshop owner had chased the subject from the store. Patrolman Robins had been assigned to guard a temporary polling station at 722 West 9th Street, and the man inadvertently ran towards that location with the store owner in pursuit. Patrolman Robins was able to take the man into custody, but as they walked back towards the pawnshop, the man pulled out his revolver and shot him in the side.

The suspect attempted to flee again but was shot and killed by Detective Albert Wegener, who was himself killed in the line of duty the following year.

The Greater Cincinnati Firefighters Memorial sits on the spot where Patrolman Robins was killed. It is also the location where Substitute Patrolman James Gallagher, end of watch March 26, 1876, and Detective Albert Wegener and Policeman George LePoris, end of watch November 12, 1917, were killed.

Patrolman Robins had served with the Cincinnati Police Division for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and a 5-year-old son.