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Patrolman

Robert V. Bastin

Cincinnati Police Department — Cincinnati, OH

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch March 7, 1953

Age 27

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Badge 230

The Vigil Panel 89 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 105

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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

Department Cincinnati Police Department

Location Cincinnati, 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; Alcohol involved

Offender Guilty of reckless driving

Military Service

Robert V. Bastin served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Robert V. Bastin 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 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 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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

of 106 officers

59.4% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious