Prev
Incident
Sheriff Bunion Courson was killed in an automobile crash while in pursuit of a vehicle.
His vehicle left the roadway and crashed on Highway 82 approximately 4-1/2 miles north of Hamburg. Residents in the area reported he was in pursuit of a red vehicle at the time.
Sheriff Courson survived the Bataan Death march and three years in a Japanese Prison Camp.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmryr72t67kysx7qv7c6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bunion. 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Coursen gave the Ashley County Sheriff's Office 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Hamburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Coursen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ashley County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Bunion is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Bunion is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bunion is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1969, 1 officer in AR was lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1969, 62 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1969, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Bunion was 50. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Bunion had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bunion was 50. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Bunion had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bunion was 50. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Bunion had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.9% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Wednesdays: 10.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Ashley County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 100% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 7.6% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Ashley County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Bunion among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Ashley County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
