Lincoln police officers honored 50 years after deaths

Fifty years after their deaths, Lincoln police officers Allen Lee Harmon and Otis Lee Robison were honored in a ceremony dedicating a mile of Highway 77 to the men.

The stretch of Highway 77 between Mile Maker 74 and Mile Marker 75 is now called Harmon-Robison Memorial Mile.

On November 16, 1974, Harmon and Robison were killed after a traffic stop for suspected drunk driving. The suspect was arrested for a sobriety test. While driving on Highway 77, the suspect shot and killed the officers.

Robison, also known as “Sonny,” was 22 years old. Harmon, who went by “Butch,” was 27.

Members of the law enforcement community, leaders, family and friends attended the ceremony.

“That’s actually the area where they were killed. It’s hard. It’s been really, really hard. Fifty years and the pain still doesn’t go away. I’m proud, but I’m also heartbroken,” said Sandra Robison Rorrer, senior sister of Officer Robison.

“My brother was really special to me. I’m so proud that they did this,” she added.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

“I greatly appreciate the city of Lincoln being able to honor fallen officers from more than 50 years ago. Two people in the very early stages of their lives have been taken not only from the city but also from their families. The fact that we are honoring them so many years later is a reflection of law enforcement in communities and why it is important that we honor and recognize their service,” said Marshall.

The new signs marking the memorial mile were installed on Wednesday.