Officer Langley Remembered 10 Years After Tragedy

“A hero remembered never dies.” A flag bearing this motto hung inside Paris-Yates Chapel during the ten year memorial for Robert Langley, a fallen University Police Officer.

Langley was killed after a driver attempted to flee the scene of a traffic stop on the edge of campus and Jackson Avenue.

With the University Police Department and Langley’s family on hand, in addition to numerous others, speakers paid tribute to their fallen friend, coworker and family member. While not everyone in attendance knew Officer Langley personally, the emotion of every memorial and story told about him gave people an insight into a man who loved his job, his family, and spread hope and joy to everyone he came across.

“Being a cop is a way of life, and Robert loved that way of life,” said Deputy Lynn Webb, a close friend of Langley. “He made sure that everyone he worked with was like family.”

In attendance was Langley’s widow, Lisa Langley Robertson, who challenged those in attendance to self-reflect on how they would want to be remembered while thanking the entire community for remembering her husband and his whole family. Afterward, she spoke about how her husband’s memory has been kept alive.

I’m very proud and honored that 10 years later they have not forgotten, He’s smiling so big because he was loved that much,” Robertson said. “We really are a family, and sometimes we get in the hustle and bustle of life, and they have never… me and they certainly haven’t forgotten him.”

Robert Jr., Langley’s son was next to address the crowd and gave a memorial of his father that spoke about how important it is to be positive in all aspects of life, as what you do affects others even if you may not realize it.

“He made an impact,” Robert Jr. said. “And, I guarantee you that he had positive energy on his bus (alluding to John Sutherland’s “The Energy Bus” a book being read by Robert Jr’s football team.)”

Lisa Langley Robertson knows how important it was for her stepson to speak at today’s service, and how much it meant to her and his brother, Corey.

“It was very touching. As a child, he wishes he could still touch his dad,” Robertson said. “He will see his dad again, but that’s why these days and these moments are so important for us to keep Robert’s memory alive for those boys… so that they can feel the love every day.”

Not only a dedicated police officer, Langley had returned to Oxford just six months before his tragic death from a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the National Guard, during which time his mind was never too far from home.

“He called from Afghanistan all the time, and just wanted to know what we were up too. He always wanted to be kept in the loop, so he wasn’t behind when he got back,” Webb said.

Webb also recounted a special memory she shared with Langley from the Thursday just before he was killed. They found the baseball stadium unlocked and for hours they got to enjoy time together as friends.

“He would have me turn the pitching machine on as fast as it would go and wanted me to try and strike him out,” Webb, who had just been put back on Langley’s shift, said. “I think that everything that happened that week was for a reason.”

Other speakers included Major Sheridan Maiden. Maiden was able to recount his time with Langley, and how his own passion for enforcement was renewed because of Langley’s sense of passion and desire. Maiden also offered advice for his fellow officers in attendance urging them always to remember to care for one another.

“None of us know when that day will come that we may need to end our watch. Take the time now to look at your fellow brothers and sisters and let them know that you care about them, let them know you’re here for them and cherish these moments,” Maiden said.

Tim Rutledge, the director of Mississippi Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support quoted scripture and spoke about the sacrifice Langley made, along with the sacrifices his family will continue to make.

When Robert Langley was killed, it shook an entire community. Ten years later, on the day of his memorial, he continues to bring people together.

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 

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