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Theodore James Buckley
Incident
Correctional Officer Ted Buckley and Correctional Officer Dale Morey were both beaten and stabbed during a prison uprising at the Arizona State Prison in Florence. Officer Morey had been attacked in a prison cell block and badly beaten. Officer Buckley had gone to his assistance when he was also attacked. Four inmates were charged with the officers' murders. One, 18, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two life sentences on March 4th, 1974. Charges against the other three were dismissed. Officer Buckley was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Arizona Department of Corrections for six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Theodore is one person.
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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.
Correctional Officer Buckley served with the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Theodore James Buckley served in the U.S. Army (1968â1972) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arizona Department of Corrections has lost 10 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Theodore is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Theodore is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 2 officers at Arizona Department of Corrections were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 4 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Theodore was 26. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Arizona Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 38; the middle age was 37. Theodore had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Theodore was 26. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Theodore had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Theodore was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Theodore had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theodore was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Theodore had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 40% of these deaths at Arizona Department of Corrections, more than any other month. Fridays: 60%.
June holds 8.8% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Fridays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at Arizona Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 3.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Arizona Department of Corrections has 10 officers remembered here, Theodore among them.
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James Stiner
Sep 18, 1967
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Theodore James Buckley
Jun 22, 1973
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Dale Eldred Morey
Jun 22, 1973
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Paul W. Rast
Sep 7, 1975
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Sandra JoAnn Bachman
Jun 26, 1990
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Robert Kenneth Barchey
Nov 15, 1993
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Brent W. Lumley
Mar 7, 1997
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Gabriel B. Saucedo
Jun 2, 2005
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Douglas Eugene Falconer
Oct 1, 2008
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Paul Ray Nolasco, Jr.
May 25, 2020
Where
Military Service
Theodore James Buckley served in the U.S. Army (1968–1972) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Theodore James Buckley’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Arizona Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
