Detective Robert Cline was shot and killed in a fierce shootout between four bank robbers.

Three of the robbers were shot and killed, and several other officers were critically wounded. The fourth robber was shot in the spine and paralyzed. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On April 6, 1938, he died on death row of complications from his wounds two weeks before his scheduled execution.

Detective Cline had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 11 years. He was survived by his wife.