Incident
Patrolman Archie Buggs was shot and killed after he made a traffic stop on two gang members for speeding in the 7100 block of Skyline Drive. As he walked to the rear of the car one of the suspects exited the vehicle and shot him six times. Patrolman Buggs' partner located him laying in the street with his ticket book nearby. Both suspects were apprehended three hours later by San Diego Police. Two suspects, ages 17 and 18, were convicted of Patrolman Buggs' murder and sentenced to life. Governor Gavin Newsom reversed the shooter's parole on January 26, 2019. He was later granted parole in June 2020. Patrolman Buggs, a Vietnam veteran, had served with the agency for four years. He was survived by his fiancee, whom he was set to marry in one month. He was also survived by his mother and by his siblings. In November 2017, the Skyline substation was renamed Archie Buggs Memorial Building.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee, whom he was set to marry in one month.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-C08AD5A8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Patrolman Buggs gave the San Diego Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Diego community, 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
Archie Calvin Buggs served in the Army (1968â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Archie Calvin Buggs 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Diego Police Dept., 27 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Archie Calvin Buggs's cause is highlighted.
How Archie Calvin Buggs Compares
Offender Outcome
traffic stop
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Archie Calvin Buggs is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Archie Calvin Buggs was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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