Davenport Noon Optimists present Respect for Law Award to Aric Robinson

The Davenport Noon Optimist Club presented its 2026 Sergeant Kevin Marxen Respect for Law Award to Detective Aric Robinson on August 21 at the Davenport River Center. Robinson is the club’s 47th annual recipient.

Presenters included Davenport Chief of Police Greg Benning, Davenport Alderman At-Large/Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Gripp, Optimist Iowa District Governor Jane Schmidt, Davenport Noon Optimist Club president Roland Lamantia and event chair Aaron Gunnare. Special guests attending the luncheon included many past award recipients, members of Kevin Marxen’s family and Aric Robinson’s family.

The award is given to a Davenport Police Department officer chosen by peers for exemplary service, dedication to law enforcement and commitment to the community. It was renamed in 2014 in memory of past recipient Sergeant Kevin Marxen, whose life and service reflected the Optimist Creed and the highest ideals of public service.

Detective Robinson joined the Davenport Police Department in 2001 and has worked in patrol, the NETS unit and the Criminal Investigation Division. He began his investigative career in 2011 and has worked assignments in property crimes, personal crimes, the Juvenile Section, Special Victims Unit, the Gun Investigative Unit and currently, the Major Case Unit. Robinson has handled over 800 investigations involving serious and complex offenses during his career, including assaults, robberies, weapons offenses, death investigations and homicides.

Robinson is known for his commitment to victims and their families, often responding outside scheduled hours, staying late and keeping investigations moving forward so families find answers.

The Respect for Law program was established in July 1965 after a discussion between past Optimist International President Carl Bowen and former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Since its founding, it has become one of Optimist International’s most popular initiatives, with over 1,500 clubs participating annually and over a quarter of a million law enforcement officers honored worldwide over the past 60 years.

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