Flags at Stamford Police Department are flown at half-mast and bunting after the death of a veteran police officer who made a huge impact on the community. Doug Robinson, 60, died Wednesday night from stage 4 parotid cancer after a three-year battle with the disease.
Robinson joined the department in 1989 as a Patrol Officer and then spent several years in the Narcotics Division before becoming the school’s Resource Officer. His most recent assignment was with the Special Investigative Juvenile Case Unit.
“Few people wear their badges as proudly as he,” Chief Tim Shaw told News 12. He said it would be impossible to list all the awards and recognition Robinson has received.
“Dynamite man. Hilarious, phenomenal investigator, just the whole package,” Shaw said.
Assistant Chief Silas Redd has also known Robinson since his career began. Red, he said, always worked with dignity and respect.
“The first thing that comes to mind about Dougie is loyalty. He’s a very loyal individual and someone you can always count on,” Red shared.
“He had the type of personality that people gravitated towards,” added Sgt. Wayne Scutari. Scutari said he became best friends with Robinson when they worked for the Narcotics Division, where Robinson was also known as a joker. “It was one of the many hats he wore. He kept his nimbleness on the team.”
Loved throughout the police force, but left a void beyond the police force after Robinson’s death. Robinson coached his West Hill High School co-op hockey team for 23 years at Stanford.
“Even years after the kids he mentored had graduated, they were still reaching out to him and stopping by to see him,” Scutari says of the immeasurable amount Robinson gave the city. Looking back on his influence, he said:
“He grew up in the community. He did a lot for the community and loved working with kids at hockey,” said Felix, an officer who had worked alongside Robinson since 1999. Martinez said.
Martinez told News 12 that Robinson maintained a positive outlook and never gave up when he was diagnosed with cancer. It was repeated by some people on Thursday.
“I kept coming to work. I kept coaching. That was him even when he was sick. He was a special man,” Scutari told News 12, holding back tears. “It’s always hard at the end, but he kept fighting.”
According to Martinez, Robinson didn’t want people to feel sorry for him. “It was Doug. He was more concerned about you than himself.”
Red said Robinson had an unwavering belief that helped him fight to the end.So did the love and strength from his wife and three children.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t say what a devoted family man he was,” Red added.
“They’re a great bunch. They’re so close-knit that we shed tears with them,” Shaw said.