North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section, North Carolina
End of Watch: Friday, January 2, 1970
Age: 44
Tour of Duty: 23 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: January 2, 1970
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1975
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. He was survived by his wife and children.