Navy firefighter turned airport cop Robert Killen of Huntsville named Tuberville’s November Veteran of the Month

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November 3, 2026

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) on Monday named Robert Killen of Huntsville his November Veteran of the Month, a Navy veteran of the Gulf War who went on to become the oldest graduate of both the Huntsville police and fire academies.

Killen, a U.S. Navy petty officer third class, grew up in Florida and enlisted a few years after high school. He served from 1989 to 1995 and deployed during the Gulf War and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

“Yes, I did two Mediterranean cruises. One happened to be the Gulf War, and then was started out as the Desert Shield, and then right into Desert Storm,” Killen said. “I think a lot of it’s probably some friendships that we’ve made and still have. You know, I still do things with some of the people I was in the military with. We get together once a year and have fishing trips and things like that.”

Killen’s duties aboard ship included aircraft rescue firefighting. He later moved to Huntsville, married his wife Christine, and started over in public safety at Huntsville International Airport as both a police officer and a firefighter.

“The one thing I was really proud of was getting through the academies, you know they were basically back to back. There was about two weeks between them, rest time. You know, there’s 14 weeks and two weeks and then 10 weeks,” Killen said. “And being a late bloomer, like I say, that I’m kind of proud of that that I actually made it through. Just starting this late and still being able to help out.”

“For the last 15 years, he has kept travelers safe from threats they likely won’t ever know they faced,” Tuberville said.

Killen has since earned certification and brought a crisis intervention team to the airport’s public safety operations. Outside his 24-hour airport shifts, he also serves with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.

“He is truly keeping North Alabamians safe on multiple fronts,” Tuberville said.

Every year around the holidays, Killen takes part in a Shop with a Cop program that pairs officers with underprivileged children to pick out Christmas gifts. He also drives the airport’s aircraft rescue and firefighting truck in the Huntsville City Christmas parade.

Killen and his wife have two children. Their son Cannon followed his father to a job at the airport. Their daughter Kendall is pursuing her college degree.

“You know, it’s hard to explain. I guess it makes me proud of myself, and then of course my family. I guess that more than anything, and I love to help people,” Killen said.

“As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we all take some time to express our thankfulness for the men and women like Robert, who have given their time and resources to keeping us safe,” Tuberville said. “It is my honor to recognize him as the November Veteran of the Month.”

Killen is the second Huntsville honoree in the series, following Command Sgt. Maj. Harkey, whom Tuberville honored earlier. Tuberville recognized 12 Alabama veterans through the series last year.