Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement, Illinois
End of Watch: Saturday, February 23, 1957
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Automobile crash
Date of Incident: February 17, 1957
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
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.