Robert M. E. Bumster

Quincy Police Dept. — Quincy, IL

Felonious

End of Watch April 25, 1919

Age 53

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

The Vigil Panel 37 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 4

Incident

Officer Robert Bumster was shot and killed near Clarence, Missouri, as he and the Adams County, Illinois, Sheriff returned a prisoner from Kansas City. The prisoner's brother boarded the train and attempted to free him. As he drew a revolver and demanded his release, Officer Bumster drew his revolver, and shots were exchanged. Officer Bumster, the gunman, and the sheriff were wounded, and a passenger was killed. The gunman was able to escape but was captured a short time later by a fireman in Clarence. Officer Bumster was taken to his home in Quincy, Illinois, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds five days later. The gunman and his brother were wanted for beating to death a pawnbroker in Quincy six weeks earlier. He was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1950 but returned to prison a few weeks later for violating his parole. He was paroled a second time in 1956. Officer Bumster had served with the Quincy Police Department for 12 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-7110A661
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Bumster gave the Quincy Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Quincy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Bumster.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Quincy Police Dept.

Location Quincy, IL

Platform Identity qpd.adams.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 25, 1919

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Paroled in 1950

Detective Robert M. E. Bumster 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Quincy Police Dept., 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Quincy Police Dept.

of 5 officers

80% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious