Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Archibald Buchanan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a father and son for being intoxicated and shooting their weapons around town.
Sometime in the afternoon of December 22, 1906, Marshal Buchanan stopped two individuals about a quarter mile from the Gulf and Ship Island (G&SI) railroad station. As Marshal Buchanan was trying to arrest them for being drunk and disorderly, one of the suspects drew a handgun and shot him three times. Buchanan was able to return fire and struck both of them, resulting in minor injuries.
Both suspects were arrested and charged with murder, although the son is the one who shot Marshal Buchanan. The father was acquitted of the crime. The son's trial was moved to a change of venue, and he was acquitted of the murder.
City Marshal Buchanan was survived by his wife and daughter.
He is buried in the Old McNair Cemetery.
Survivors
City Marshal Buchanan was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MS-D2256FF6- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Buchanan served with the Mount Olive Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mt. Olive community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Buchanan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Archibald McCollum Buchanan is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Archibald McCollum Buchanan's cause is highlighted.
How Archibald McCollum Buchanan Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Archibald McCollum Buchanan is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Archibald McCollum Buchanan was killed by gun; unknown type.