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Howard Russell Bunting
Incident
Investigator Howard Bunting and Investigator John Fletcher were killed in an automobile accident while on duty in White County. Investigator Fletcher and Investigator Bunting were traveling northbound on Illinois Route 1 heading to a district meeting. As a driver who was traveling southbound attempted to slow his vehicle, the brakes grabbed, causing his vehicle to strike the side of the officer's vehicle. Investigator Fletcher and the other driver were killed instantly and Investigator Bunting died as a result of his injuries six days later. Investigator Bunting had served with the Illinois Department of Conservation for four years.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Investigator Bunting gave the Illinois Department of Conservation 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Bunting.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement has lost 13 officers; 10 of them lost to accidents.
Howard is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Howard is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Howard is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 2 officers at Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1957, 5 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1957, 55 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 85th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Howard was 38. Of the 10 lost to accidents at Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 64.5; the middle age was 58.5. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Howard was 38. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 38. 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. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Howard was 38. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Howard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement; November holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 10%.
February holds 7.3% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Saturdays: 11.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 76.9% of all 13 deaths at Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement has 13 officers remembered here, Howard among them.
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Gasper Ratto Feb 11, 1902
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G. Earle Eldredge
Feb 24, 1907
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Charles Marcus Eldredge
Jul 4, 1931
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Lee B. Davis May 22, 1938
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Otis John Whan
Jan 16, 1951
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William D. Miller
Dec 1, 1954
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John Arthur Fletcher Feb 17, 1957
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Howard Russell Bunting Feb 23, 1957
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George Giambiasi
Sep 4, 1959
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Robert H. Elliott Jul 15, 1970
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Eugene Allen Nov 17, 1972
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Loring Carr Nov 17, 1972
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Milton A. Rueck
Aug 19, 1973
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.
