Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

After hearing all the great stories about my grandpa and going up to his grave this past year i am proud to say i have a great family member and some one who made an impact in this world thank you for serving and i hope to see you when i get up there R.I.P. grandpa i think of you all the time.

joshua tyson
grandson

March 14, 2012

Officer Robinson I am reminded of you everyday when I put my K-9 partner "IBOR" in the back of my patrol car. Ibor was named after you in 2006.

K-9 Officer John Maguire
City of Newburgh Police

December 14, 2011

Still remembering you Officer Robinson ~Nina Masten

Nina Masten

November 22, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. Larry was also your brother in green as well as blue so I also bid you a heartfelt semper fi.

I pray for solace for all those who call you beloved.

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

November 18, 2011

We have never met but are bound together by Robert Betanzos, who also died in the line of duty in the City of Newburgh.

You live on in the hearts and souls of your family and friends. You will never be forgotten and always honored. God bless you and your family in their journey through this life without you. Your smile will warm your family and friend's hearts when you meet again.

Patricia Betanzos
Wife of Robert Betanzos, fallen officer

September 5, 2011

Billy was a distant relative and im a former Police officer myself. I now reside in Florida and i always tell the story of what happened to a good man. God Bless.
Raymond A Smith Jr

Raymond Smith Jr
family

August 23, 2011

I stood there at the place you were killed that day on my way to school, I stood there on the street that day your procession rolled down the street, I stood there so many days in front of the Police Station at the memorial displayed and wondered why. I remember seeing your wife and your sons in the car as it passed by and always prayed that God would watch over them now that you were gone. I am 48 now but those days in 1973 I still remember. I pray that your family is well as you are never forgotten. Semper Fi Marine!

GySgt Joseph L Clark Jr- Newburgh NY

Anonymous

April 1, 2010

Dear Officer Robinson,

Since you have been gone, Officers have retired, changed ranks and perhaps some have even joined you in Heaven. Know that those left here on Earth still remember and honor you.

Nina Masten
family friend

Nina Masten
family friend

December 8, 2009

You are not forgotten.

Anonymous

January 5, 2009

Many years have passed since your death and the death of my husband, Robert Betanzos, who served in the City of Newburgh also.

God bless you and your family. I hope your family finds as much comfort in the wonderful memories of you and the sunshine in the eyes of your children and grandchildren as I do in mine. Each child and grandchild are special gifts from our lost loved ones. They are the most precious gifts you could have given to us. Each in the memory of you.

Pat Betanzos
Wife and widow of Robert Betanzos

Pat Betanzos
Wife of fallen officer Robert Betanzos

September 12, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 20, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 29, 2007

Officer Robinson served with my father Norman on the City of Newburgh Police Department. I attended the memorial of Officer Robinson's death with my father in which was the first time I ever seen tears coming from father's eye. I have since moved away from N.Y. but everytime I visit I have left flowers for Officer Robinson. I was just a baby when he passed away but I had learned of his life from my father. You will always be remembered.

Nina Masten
family Friend

October 7, 2007

I never knew you, but I have heard many wonderful stories about you. I commend you for your bravery and devotion to what you did. I also thank you for the life I have.

Sarah Robinson
Grandaughter never seen

September 5, 2007

To my beloved husband. It has been 34 years since you left us but you are still held close in both our mind and heart. Such a shame that you never got to see your lovely sons grow into adulthood but I do believe you live in their hearts. I have two grandsons who want to follow in your footsteps and be on the SWAT Team and I truly believe it is a credit to you and what you stood for. I loved you then and have always held a special part of my heart for you only and always will. Life moves onward where it wants us to be and I believe that the Lord had a need for a special police officer when he took you. I will continue my journey in this world without you but I wll see you one day again. Love always and ever...Judy

Judith Robinson Bland
Widow

August 18, 2007

YOU WERE A MARINE AND MADE US PROUD , YOU WERE A FATHER AND MADE US PROUD, YOU WERE A POLICEMAN AND MADE US PROUD , YOU WERE MY UNCLE AND MADE ME PROUD.I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL YOU CAME HOME ON LEAVE AND I HAD LEARNED THE WORDS TO THE MARINE CORP HYMM I SANG FOR YOU YOU SMILED AT ME HUGGED ME AND THANKED ME . NOW IM A WOMAN I SING FOR YOU IN MY HEART , SMILE , AND HUG YOU .
I REMEMBER THE NIGHT YOU LEFT US SO ABRUPTLY AND TRAGICALLY, WE ALL CRIED . LIFE ISNT ALWAYS FAIR -- FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE BILLY JR. AND DANNY IN MY LIFE YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME.
SEMPER FI MY SPECIAL UNCLE -- I'LL BE SEEIN' YA AND WHEN I DO -- I WILL SING TO YOU AGAIN.

ALWAYS & FOREVER,
JODY

JODY THOMAS
NIECE

August 14, 2007

Dad, I know that you are always watching over me on everything that I do. I have been thinking about you alot and wish that I had and they want to know everything about you. I can only tell them about what I remember before you were taken from me.. Clayton wants to be a S.W.A.T. officer when he grows up and I always tell him how proud you would be if you were here. The school he attends is named after a fallen officer and the other day I went with him to school as all the police departments in the area remember the officer. It was one of the hardest things that I had to do, because I remembered the day we lead you to rest. I was only five years old at the time, but all I could do was think about you. I really miss you Dad and I wish you were here..I LOVE YOU Your son, Danny 03/16/07

Daniel w. Robinson
Son

March 16, 2007

Rest in Peace.

Federal Agent-Atlanta, GA
Department of Justice

July 6, 2006

I was a young man that day officer Robinson was killed and I remember vividly his funeral procession through the streets of Newburgh. It passed by my house and I stood there in awe at this event that shook our city. To his family may God continue to bless you.

March 25, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero.

November 18, 2004

At the time of Officer Robinson’s death I was a cop in the neighboring community which was the Town of New Windsor.

The City of Newburgh PD asked for volunteers from our department to work the city while they had funeral services for Officer Robinson.

I was fortunate to be able to help out fellow Police Officers during that time of need. I remember working the City of Newburgh and driving their patrol car on the side streets as the funeral procession went up Broadway. A sad day.

William Henning, Sr. (Ret.)

William Henning, Sr. (Ret.)
Town of New Windsor PD

September 30, 2004

Stand easy brother we have the watch.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because tough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-Steve Robinson, Seal Team One, 1971-1973

First Sergeant J.L. Slaughter
Radford City Department of Police

February 4, 2004

My father Norman Masten told me alot of Officer Robinson i attended the Memorial honoring Officer Robinson in 1993 with my father, it was clear to me after 20 years my father was still affected by this tragedy, when i saw tears flowing down his cheek I new the bond these officers have for one another. My father received a wonderful Marine Corp. plaque that belonged to Officer Robinson, which now hangs in my home after 30 years since Officer Robinson had been killed. Whenever i return home NY to visit family i always leave flowers at his grave and say a prayer. Thank you Officer Robinson for touching so many people, i never knew you personally but i will never forget you.

Nina Masten