Roll of Honor
Incident
Undersheriff Buzz Burford was shot and killed when he and a deputy had gone to a residence on a business matter. Unbeknownst to the deputies, the rancher and his wife and murdered two teenage ranch hands several days earlier. The two suspects, thinking the deputies were coming to arrest them for the murders, opened fire from an upstairs window as the deputies approached the house. Undersheriff Burford was struck in the leg and both deputies took cover behind the patrol car. During the shootout the deputies exhausted all of their ammunition but were pinned down behind the car. As night fell the deputy was able to make his way from the property and go for help, but before he returned the suspect came down and shot Undersheriff Burford in the head, killing him. The suspect was convicted and later hung for the crime.
Survivors
Undersheriff Burford was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MT-F8FC9BCB- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Undersheriff Burford served with the Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ryegate community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Burford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Undersheriff Arthur Burford is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 65.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur Burford's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur Burford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur Burford is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur Burford was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
