Robert J. Furmage, Jr.
Agency patch
Officer

Robert J. Furmage, Jr.

Felonious Veteran
End of Watch January 2, 1970
Age 44
Tour of Duty 23 yrs
The Vigil Panel 106 ›
Gender Male

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

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NC-E1E71D27
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Location Raleigh, NC
Platform Identity ncdmves.wake.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 2, 1970
Tour of Duty 23 yrs
Age 44
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
Offender Paroled in 1975

Military Service

Robert J. Furmage, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Officer Robert J. Furmage, Jr. 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section
1
of 3 officers
33.3% Felonious
NC — Statewide
385
of 664 officers
58% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Furmage, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Robert J. Furmage, Jr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
44
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
23
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1975

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Furmage, Jr. is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Furmage, Jr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section are honored on badge.nw.