Robert V. Bastin
Agency patch
Patrolman

Robert V. Bastin

Cincinnati Police Department — Cincinnati, OH
Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch March 7, 1953
Age 27
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 230
The Vigil Panel 89 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Robert Bastin was killed when his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver at the intersection of West Court and John Streets in Cincinnati. At 1:35 a.m., Patrolman Bastin was traveling east on West Court Street when his vehicle collided with another car traveling south on John Street. He was ejected from his patrol car and was dragged underneath the other vehicle through the intersection. Patrolman Bastin was transported to General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries an hour later. The suspect, who had a history of reckless driving convictions, was apprehended and charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving. He was found guilty of reckless driving and was fined with a license suspension for six months. Patrolman Bastin was a United States Marine Corps World War II veteran who earned a purple heart and bronze star. He had served with the Cincinnati Police Division for two years. He was survived by his expectant wife, mother, three sisters, and a brother. His daughter was born a few months after his death. He is buried in Walnut Hills Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife, mother, three sisters, and a brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-72BA5326
Stewardship
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 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 Bastin gave the Cincinnati Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati 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

Type Police Department
Location Cincinnati, Hamilton County, OH
Platform Identity cincpd.hamilton.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 7, 1953
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 27
Badge Number 230
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

Military Service

Robert V. Bastin served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Robert V. Bastin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.

In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 57.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Cincinnati Police Department, 63 of 106 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.4% of this agency's fallen.

Cincinnati Police Department
63
of 106 officers
59.4% Felonious
OH — Statewide
572
of 991 officers
57.7% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,759 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert V. Bastin's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Robert V. Bastin Compares

Age at Death
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert V. Bastin is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert V. Bastin was killed by automobile.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Military Service

Robert V. Bastin served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.

Visit Robert V. Bastin’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.