Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Rulong was struck and killed by a drunk driver while investigating an accident on WV 25 near Institute, West Virginia. The 49-year-old woman who hit him was charged with drunk driving and manslaughter. She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to one year. She was paroled after serving less than three months. Trooper Rulong had served with the agency for just under 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-0CC19CFA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Trooper Rulong gave the West Virginia State Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of West Virginia. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Rulong.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Robert F. Rulong is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At West Virginia State Police, 21 of 42 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert F. Rulong's cause is highlighted.
How Robert F. Rulong Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert F. Rulong is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert F. Rulong was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Others Who Wore This Badge
41 officers from West Virginia State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
