Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
End of Watch: Monday, November 19, 1984
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 3127
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 17, 1984
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 66 years
Officer John Robertson was shot and killed while working a uniformed off-duty security job at a local hotel. He was questioning a suspect behind the hotel at 1624 N. Black Canyon Highway about the robbery of two truck drivers when the suspect opened fire. Officer Robertson was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Two women, 18, and 19, and a man, 25, were arrested in connection with the shooting and robbery. In 1986 the man was convicted of murder, armed robbery, burglary, and sentenced to 66 years. In 1985 the women were convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 years each.
Officer Robertson had been with the agency for eight years and was survived by his wife and two children. He was working a second job at the Sixpence Inn to save money for a special family Christmas.