Since 1997, Orange Beach native Robby Robinson has been helping keep residents safe as a member of the Orange Beach Police Department.

Robinson, a patrol officer as well as a K-9 officer for the department, husband and father of three, is about to be taking on a much higher calling. Protecting America.

During the first week of 2011, Robinson, a member of the 1165th Military Police Company in the Alabama Army National Guard, will be deployed to Afghanistan, his second tour of duty in the past decade.

“I was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003,” said Robinson, 41, whose unit will be doing base defense work. Robinson left for his first tour of duty just three days after the birth of his first child. “It was about 14 months that I was over there the first time.”

As proud and honored as Robinson is to have the opportunity to serve his country, it won’t be easy leaving the ones he loves behind — mainly his wife Shawna, his 7-year-old daughter Bella, and his 5-year-old twins, Makayla and Cooper.

“The worst thing is leaving the kids and the family,” said Robinson. “I’m not really apprehensive about going, it’s just the distance and not really knowing what is ahead of you.”

Thankfully, the lines of communication have improved since the last time Robinson was overseas, and Shawna intends to stay in touch with her husband on a regular basis.

“It is going to be long and hard, but they have better communications set up now so hopefully it will make it easier,” said Shawna. “They will have computers set up over there and Robby is taking a laptop with him to use the Wi-Fi so we can communicate that way.”

Robinson will also be carrying along his cell phone with international calling in order to check in at home as often as possible.

Shawna serves as the president of the family readiness group for the unit, and it is her job to keep families informed, via mass emails, about the status of the men and women in uniform. She also plans events for the families and children while the soldiers are away.

“We’ll be able to keep in touch much better than we were able to do in 2003,” Shawna said. “This is going to be hard, but I support him in whatever he does. I am there for him.”

Mayor Tony Kennon said Robinson called Robinson a great citizen and a great example for the residents in Orange Beach.

“Robby is the perfect example of what Orange Beach is all about,” Kennon said. “He is giving, there is not a selfish bone in his body. His family is now and has been a very important part of our community and our heritage, and we will be forever indebted to him for his time spent in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Orange Beach Assistant Police Chief Greg Duck said the entire police department is behind Robinson 100 percent.

“He has our total support in the mission that he is undertaking,” Duck said. “He is a very dedicated and devoted police officer and family man. We have assured him that should any family issues arise, with him being overseas, we will gladly assist them.”

During his one-year absence, Robinson said his K-9 Fairga, a German Shepherd from Czechoslovakia, will be worked part time, and he will take back the responsibilities when he returns.

“I want to thank the Orange Beach Police Department for how supportive they have been. They are a wonderful group of people,” Robinson said.

On Monday, the city of Fairhope along with the Alabama National Guard will host a farewell ceremony beginning at noon at the Fairhope Civic Center.

The unit will be leaving for Camp Shelby in Mississippi before heading to Afghanistan.