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Incident
Patrolman Raymond Bustard was struck and killed by an automobile while on a traffic post directing traffic at the intersection of Lorraine Avenue and Valley Road in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. He had motioned to a car heading east on Lorraine Avenue through the intersection when another vehicle heading south on Valley Avenue disregarded his hand signal to stop. The car struck the other vehicle in the left rear quarter panel, causing it to spin around. The spinning vehicle struck Patrolman Bustard with its right rear and slammed him into the wall of a building at the southeast corner of the intersection. Patrolman Bustard was transported to Mountainside Hospital by the Montclair Volunteer Ambulance Unit. He was pronounced dead at 8:27 am of multiple head injuries. The driver who caused the crash was charged with death by auto. Patrolman Bustard was a United States Army veteran of WWII. He had served with the Montclair Police Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two stepsons, two stepdaughters, and two sisters.
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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Raymond 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.
Patrolman Bustard gave the Montclair Police Department 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Montclair community, and 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
Raymond T. Bustard served in the U.S. Army (1942â1945) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Montclair Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Raymond is one of 258 officers lost to accidents in NJ, 39.9% of the 647 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Raymond 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 1972, 3 officers in NJ were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 102 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 11.
In 1972, 85 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 19th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1972, 98 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Raymond was 54. Of the 232 lost to accidents in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.3; the middle age was 33.5. Raymond had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 54. 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. Raymond had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 54. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Raymond had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in NJ; March holds the most, 10.5%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Montclair Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, 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
Montclair Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Raymond among them.
Where
Military Service
Raymond T. Bustard served in the U.S. Army (1942–1945) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Raymond T. Bustard’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Montclair Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
