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Incident
Officer Robert Furmage was struck and killed by a drunk driver while inspecting a truck at the Lumberton Weigh Station off of I-95 at 4650 Kahn Drive. The drunk driver entered the weigh station at a high rate of speed and struck Officer Furmage and another officer.
The 20-year-old suspect was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison on February 26, 1970. He was paroled on June 20, 1975.
Officer Furmage had been with the agency for 16 years and had been with the State Highway Patrol for an additional seven years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and was involved with the invasion of Normandy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Robert is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Furmage gave the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Raleigh community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert J. Furmage Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 5 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 20th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 44. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 6.5% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
His people
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Military Service
Robert J. Furmage Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert J. Furmage Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section are honored on badge.nw.
