Incident
Officer Wayne Stedman was killed when his department vehicle was struck by a dump truck on State Road 44 (modern-day Route 544) one mile north of the city. He had been assisting at the scene of a medical emergency when the ambulance crew asked him to return to town to retrieve additional equipment. He was pulling onto the highway when his patrol car collided with the truck. Officer Stedman had served with the Bloomfield Police Department for 2-1/2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Stedman gave the Bloomfield Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Stedman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bloomfield Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Wayne is one of 59 officers lost to accidents in NM, 30.6% of the 193 remembered there.
Wayne is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Wayne is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 1 officer in NM was lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 40 years on record. The heaviest was 1960, with 4.
In 1982, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1982, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Wayne was 26. Of the 57 lost to accidents in NM whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44; the middle age was 35. Wayne had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wayne was 26. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Wayne had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wayne was 26. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Wayne had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.5% of these deaths in NM; August holds the most, 18.6%. Saturdays: 15.3%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Bloomfield Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.6% of all 193 deaths in NM, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Bloomfield Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Wayne among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bloomfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
