Summit Township Police Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch Sunday, January 26, 1975
Add to My HeroesRobert E. "Rocky" Atkins, Jr.
Patrolman Robert Atkins and Patrolman Wayne Olson were shot and killed in front of the police station as they began their shift.
For several days, all shifts had been doubled due to a recent rash of burglaries, including three at the police station. Shortly after midnight, a citizen heard several gunshots in front of the city hall. At approximately 4:00 a.m., units began looking for the officers who failed to respond to radio calls.
Patrolman Olson's body was located behind some bushes in front of town hall, and Patrolman Atkins' body was found in the woods just south of town hall. An all-day search led officers to the home of a 16-year-old boy. Evidence of the burglaries and murders was found in his bedroom. The suspect was declared insane and committed to a mental institution. He was released in 2013.
Patrolman Atkins had served with the Summit Township Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 28
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 2
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Released in 2013
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsRest in peace Patrolman Atkins.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 29, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Henke Ruge
Burnsville Police Department, MN
EOW: February 18, 2024