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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 9, 1992                   TAG: 9201090541
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

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POLICE SALUTE FALLEN OFFICER

With 800 of his fellow police officers saluting him, Roanoke patrolman Fred Robinson was buried Wednesday in a hilltop ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.

Many of those who attended were reflecting on the loss of one of their own.

Robinson, 48, became the 15th Roanoke police officer to die in the line of duty when his patrol car collided with another car early Sunday and plowed into the front of a Williamson Road building.

Robinson's coffin, draped in an American flag, was carried to its grave by some

I don't know anyone who came into contact with Fred Robinson that didn't like him. He had an easygoing personality and it took a lot to upset him. Sgt. Ronnie Carlisle

officers who benefited from his experience when they first came on the force.

He was buried in his uniform. His family was given his badge.

As they raised their hands to salute him, many of Robinson's fellow officers had tears welling in their eyes. Some had memories of the firearms instructor who had trained them.

"Your presence today represents your commitment to the union you have," the Rev. Robert Alderman during the funeral at Shenandoah Baptist Church. "We all share a sense of loss. Since I received the call Sunday morning, I knew the law enforcement community would take this loss personally."

That loss was reflected in the 100 or more police cars with flashing blue lights that made their way along Peters Creek Road toward Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.

It was also etched deeply in the faces of officers, many of whom had known Robinson during his 20 years on the force.

"I don't know anyone who came into contact with Fred Robinson that didn't like him," said Sgt. Ronnie Carlisle. "He had an easygoing personality and it took a lot to upset him."

For the hundreds at his graveside, memories of Fred Robinson were replayed in their minds as a bugler trumpeted "Taps."

And many, in their own way, acknowledged a tribute paid to him earlier by Alderman.

"I state my personal gratitude to Fred Robinson," Alderman said. "While many of us were asleep, he was out on the street looking out for our safety."

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