When neighbours in the small town of Evansville, Indiana, heard gunfire, they were completely unprepared for what was to come: the killing of hero firefighter Robert Doerr07:41, 24 May 2026Robert ‘Robbie’ Doerr was a true hero. He was a firefighter in Evansville, Indiana, and during his 28 years of service, he’d saved countless lives. Being part of the team was important to Robert, 51, and he loved to cook for the crew. His meatloaf and chicken pot pie fuelled everyone between call outs.‌Newlywed Robert was just as dedicated to his family. He’d been married to Elizabeth ‘Becky’ Fox-Doerr for just six months. Robert had an adult daughter from a previous relationship, and Fox-Doerr had two sons and a daughter. It was her sixth marriage.‌The couple would sometimes go on double dates with Fox-Doerr’s younger sister, Amanda Fillmore and her fiancé Larry Richmond Sr. Richmond Sr couldn’t have been more different to Robert. He was on parole after being recently released from prison. In 1996, Richmond Sr was 17 when he was convicted of shooting a man dead. He’d served 22 years in prison.‌READ MORE: Evil ex-boyfriend shoots mum-of-one in head then lives with body for 25 yearsWhile they should have been in their honeymoon period, Robert admitted to friends that he suspected that Fox-Doerr was cheating on him. She had denied it, but he feared his new marriage was already flawed.On 26 February 2019, Robert worked an extra 12-hour shift at the Evansville Fire Department. Afterwards he drove home and at around 7pm, he was getting out of his truck on the driveway. Several neighbours heard gunfire and called 911. Fox-Doerr, who had been in the kitchen cooking, had seen Robert’s truck lights pull up on the drive and heard the “popping” sounds too and called 911. “I need an ambulance,” she cried. “My husband just got shot.”‌Everyone rushed out and found Robert on the ground bleeding. He’d been shot twice in the back, and again in the shoulder area as he’d tried to hide behind his truck. First responders rushed to the scene, including Robert’s colleagues who were distraught to see he was the victim.Robert was pronounced dead at the scene. It was a profound tragedy for the community. Fox-Doerr had been a bride just months earlier and now she was a widow. Robert’s colleagues offered their support but were surprised when she appeared at the firehouse the day after the killing and asked questions about her late husband’s pension.Robert’s funeral was attended by hundreds of firefighters and everyone wanted answers. Investigators determined that Robert had been hit with two different types of ammunition from the same weapon which meant that the killer had used an unusual gun known as a “hand cannon”. The combination of pistol rounds and shotgun shells was unique to a Taurus Judge model.‌They looked for matching stolen guns in the area and discovered that one had been stolen from a pawn shop. They also found out that Larry Richmond Jr was working there at the time – Richmond Sr’s son.Police brought them both in for questioning. They denied knowing anything at first but then Richmond Jr said, “I don’t know anything about the murder, but I did take the gun from my workplace.” He said he’d stolen the gun and had given it to his dad. He also revealed that his father had buried guns in Amanda Fillmore’s backyard.‌Officers dug up the yard and found several guns – but not the one used to kill Robert. Richmond Sr was charged with having guns in his possession which was a violation of his parole, and for scratching off the serial numbers. He was sent back to prison. Meanwhile, police were also looking into Fox-Doerr. Her phone was searched and police discovered a deleted four-minute call that had been made before she’d dialled 911 on the night Robert had been shot. It was with a contact named “Larry Ali”.Fox-Doerr was questioned and she admitted Richmond Sr had called her before the shooting, but it was to discuss outdoor lights they were working on together. She said she always deleted records off her phone to make more space. She was charged with obstruction, but the charges were dropped.‌By now, police believed Fox-Doerr had been having an affair with her sister’s fiancé and they’d conspired to kill Robert. Several calls had been made between them, but they needed more. Then Fox-Doerr’s son, Nathaniel Guthrie, turned on his mum. Nathaniel saw Robert as his dad and was devastated by his death – and suspicious of his mother.He told police that while going through condolence cards after Robert’s funeral, he’d found a note in a card from Amanda and Richmond Sr that said, “We need to talk.” It was signed “Larry”.When questioned, Fox-Doerr’s sister Amanda said that she suspected Richmond Sr was having an affair and had even gone looking for him on the night of the murder to find out who he was with. Even Robert helped with the investigation from beyond the grave. At the house, officers found a letter he’d written to his wife. He talked about how he suspected she was unfaithful and that he’d seen messages. He talked about how she’d changed “ever since he came back into your life”. A prison informant also told police that Richmond Sr had bragging to him about the affair with Fox-Doerr and shooting Robert.‌Richmond Sr’s phone placed him near the scene of the crime 20 minutes before the shooting. He turned off his phone just before the shooting and turned it back on later. He also checked police scanner apps after the shooting to avoid getting caught.In August 2022, Richmond Sr and Fox-Doerr were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. They both pleaded not guilty. At the Fox-Doerr trial in 2024, the prosecution said Fox-Doerr and Richmond Sr were having an affair. Richmond Jr testified that he had asked his dad whether he was sleeping with Fox-Doerr and he’d replied, “Man, I had to.” He also told the court he’d seen them kissing on more than one occasion. He also testified about the stealing the Taurus Judge gun and giving it to his dad.The prosecution said that the motive was Robert’s pension and other benefits from his death. The defence said Robert’s daughter was the sole beneficiary so it couldn’t have been the motivation, but the prosecution argued Fox-Doerr didn’t know that at the time and thought the money would come to her.‌The jury heard about the four-minute call between Richmond Sr and Fox-Doerr made 15 minutes before the shooting. It was suggested it was Fox-Doerr tipping Richmond Sr off about her husband’s return home. Fox-Doerr’s son Nathaniel testified against his mum, while her other son defended her.Fox-Doerr, 52, was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was sentenced to 90 years in prison. “I am innocent of these crimes,” Fox-Doerr told the judge. “I never asked anyone to harm or murder my husband.” This year, Fox-Doerr was denied an appeal.In 2025, Richmond Sr, 47, went on trial. The prosecution said that the mobile data from his phone that night showed him “circling the crime scene like a shark”. He was found guilty and in February this year, he was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. Robert’s legacy lives on at the fire station where he’d served. A new fire truck was dedicated to his memory, and he’s still a hero to many.Article continues belowREAD MORE: Monster husband slaughters wife with hammer then turns attention to her parents