Out of the Ruins Robinson

Copyright 2001 San Antonio Lightning

Lubbock, TX. City Manager Bob Cass has announced that Police Chief Ken
Walker has been be put on paid administrative leave, pending the investigation into the death of Sgt. Kevin Cox.

Lubbock police were forced to release a man they jailed as the killer of a SWAT officer July 13th, because it is now known that he did not fire the fatal shot; and the F.B.I. has been called in to investigate the unusual circumstances surrounding the incident, including the high likelihood that another policeman shot the officer, the Lightning revealed last week.

Critics of the police have labeled the incident an "attempted cover-up."

Now the Lubbock Police Chief has been relieved of duty.

Walker is restricted from wearing a department uniform and cannot enter the
Lubbock Police Department while on leave, the letter commanded.

"During this administrative leave, do not interfere in any way in the pending investigation into this matter," the letter warned.

"You will immediately surrender your police badge, police identification, city issued firearm, and any other indicia of office to me."

The F.B.I. investigation began Monday.

Richard Robinson was released from jail Friday evening after it was determined that he did not fire the shot that killed LPD Sgt. Kevin Cox.

Robinson, 47, had been charged with capital murder in the July 13 shooting death of Cox during a standoff between Robinson and the Lubbock Police
Department.

Robinson, an unemployed automobile mechanic, barricaded himself inside his
home at 3229 87th St. after setting furniture and household goods on fire in his front yard.

In a confrontation with police, the details of which have been confused and contradictory, both the officer and homeowner were wounded. More than 100
rounds were fired into the house by police.

Robinson never fired a shot.

Official statements early on downplayed the friendly fire possibility.

"That is so baseless and contrary to the evidence that it's an absolute insult to Kevin Cox's memory," police spokesman Bill Morgan told local reporters early this week.

"That's an absolute affront to the guys that have to live with the memory of having Kevin slain in front of them."

Now, however, police have been forced to abandon that tactic, and disturbing questions have arisen about what really happened, and the police actions that followed.

On Tuesday, Robinson's wife was arrested for "interfering with police," as she tried to enter the family home. An intense search of the premises for more than a week have failed to find evidence which would incriminate the suspect.

Well placed sources tell the Lightning that other officers have been questioned about the possibility of the accidental killing of their comrade, and observers criticize the handling of the investigation by police.

The Lightning has also learned that one theory being explored holds that both men were wounded by the same high velocity rifle bullet.

If so, that round likely came from a SWAT sniper's weapon.

Richard Robinson, who nine days ago was charged with killing a Lubbock police officer, has a lengthy physical and emotional recovery ahead of him, his attorney said Saturday.

"It was a living hell for the past seven days," Dan Hurley said.

On July 13, police went to the Robinson home at 3229 87th St. in response to a domestic disturbance. Robinson, 47, was alone and reportedly armed and suicidal. SWAT officers surrounded the house.

Several hours after responding to the scene, the SWAT team moved up to the house and broke windows to clear an entry for tear gas.

During that operation, Sgt. Kevin Cox suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head from a high-velocity firearm. In the hail of gunfire that followed, Robinson suffered two gunshot wounds.

Later that day, Robinson was charged with killing Cox. Friday night, the Lubbock County District Attorney's Office dropped the capital murder charge against Robinson after ballistics tests showed that weapons found in his home could not have fired the fatal shot.

As with the family of the fallen officer, it is also time for the Robinson family to rebuild, said Robinson's longtime friend Paige McGlaun Dominick.

"I think, after this, that a lot of people are going to need counseling. I think a lot of people are going to need help," she said.

"It's going to be a long time before he can continue on with his life. His house is in shambles," perforated by up to 100 bullets, Dominick said. "Not to take away from the Cox family, but Dick's family has been pretty shattered by this also. This is a horrible thing that has happened."

Dominick, who went to high school with Robinson and Hurley, was among friends and family who gathered with Robinson after he was released from jail Friday night. His wife, Laura, and other family members were preparing to visit him when they received word of his impending release.

"We had to tell him repeatedly last night that he is not to blame for this, and I love him and I would do anything in the world for him," Dominick said Saturday. "This is too good of a man for this to happen to. If it can happen to Dick, it could happen to anybody. I just thank God that we have him back."

Hurley said that Robinson was receiving medical attention Saturday and was unavailable to talk with reporters.

Hurley said he hopes that all parties can reach an agreement and avoid a lawsuit over damages suffered by the Robinsons.

The deadly standoff July 13 raises important questions about police policies that need to be addressed, he said.

"I think we should reflect and decide whether that type of militaristic response is necessary in those types of situations," Hurley said.

Police spokesman Bill Morgan has said that the potential volatility of such incidents demands a SWAT response to ensure the safety of everyone involved officers, suspects, bystanders and the public.

"I feel like he was very mistreated. This whole thing was handled wrong," Dominick said. "I don't know why they used so much force on this. It got real blown out of proportion real fast."

In time, Dominick said, people will learn that her friend did little to provoke officers to open fire on his house that day.

"Dick never touched a gun the entire time he was inside the house," during the standoff, she said. "I'll stake my life on that."

Hurley added: "He was very adamant and emphatic that he never ever fired a single shot. I feel confident, because that is the truth. He did not fire a shot."

Many of the guns Robinson had in the house were antiques which he inherited when his father died in December, Hurley said.

"We're hoping to get lots of questions answered as we go along," he said.

Police say they will continue to investigate the shooting. Investigators don't know the source of the fatal shot or if Robinson fired any weapons during the incident. At the request of police, FBI weapons experts will examine the scene Monday.

Dominick said Robinson expressed much concern for the Cox family when friends and family gathered Friday night.

Hurley sad, "It's just an absolute tragedy that a police officer lost his life under those circumstances. We're praying for the Cox family and whoever is determined to be responsible."

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