Patrolman Michael Anthony Robbins Sr. | Star #4203

Patrolman Michael Anthony Robbins, Star #4203, aged 57 years, was a 22 year, 1 Month, 2 Day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 3rd District – Grand Crossing Gang Team.

On September 10, 1994, at 7:45 p.m., Officer Robbins and his partner, Patrolman Talmitch A. Jackson, age 35, were investigating a shooting involving two rival gangs that occurred earlier in the evening. They were driving in their unmarked squad car in the alley on the 6500 block of South Langley Avenue. As they drove slowly down the dark alley with their lights off, Claude McGee, age 19, walked up to Officer Robbins and stuck a gun in his face. Officer Robbins grabbed for the pistol. As the men wrestled for control of the gun, the gang member squeezed the trigger, firing 13 shots. Officer Robbins bulletproof vest stopped three of them. He was shot 11 times in the chest, abdomen, both arms and legs and once in the back. Officer Jackson was shot four times and transported to Cook County Hospital where he made a recovery. Officer Jackson returned to light duty, but had undergone seven surgeries by early 1995. Officer Robbins was also transported to Cook County Hospital where he underwent surgery. Three bullets were unable to be removed and remained lodged in his heart. The injuries Officer Robbins sustained forced him onto the Disability Pension Roll (DPR) for the remainder of his career. At the time of the shooting, Officer Robbins had served 8 years, he hadn’t officially retired from the department at the time of his death on September 13, 2008.

Claude McGee, a parolee who had done time for attempted murder in Michigan, was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, and charged with attempted murder in the shooting. In 1997, McGee was tried, convicted and was sentenced to 120 years in prison prior to Officer Robbins death.

Mr. Robbins spoke about the shooting at the 1996 Democratic convention, urging better gun control laws. He directed the Handgun Epidemic Lowering Plan, an organization for survivors of gun violence, and ran for Illinois State Senator in 1999. He continued to work as a community activist, serving as a victims advocate for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids and as a member of the Black on Black Love Organization.

Officer Robbins succumbed to complications from gunshot wounds he sustained 14 years earlier and was found dead in his apartment as a result of those injuries on September 13, 2008. He was transported to the Stein Institute where he was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m.

Officer Robbins was waked at A.A. Raynor and Sons South located at 318 East 71st Street. His funeral mass was held at St. Columbanus Catholic Church, located at 331 East 71st Street. He was laid to rest on September 20, 2008 in Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 East 67th Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Patrolman Michael A. Robbins, born June 3, 1951, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 11, 1986. He earned 1 Carter Harrison Medal during his career.

Officer Robbins served in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of a Bronze Star. He also served in the U.S. Navy Reserve after his discharge from the Navy. Officer Robbins was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his ex-wife, Pamela (nee Brooks); Children: Michael Anthony, Jr. (USAF), age 12, Michael Christopher Keith Threlkeld, age 15 and Michelle Lorraine Miles, age 13; step-son, Lawrence A. Willis; two grandchildren and brother, Robert Bradley.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #Y422287 Aggravated Battery and HP568533 Death Investigation.

On March 2, 2010, Officer Robbins’ star was retired by Superintendent Jody P. Weis and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.