Roll of Honor
Buford A. French
Incident
Location: California Weapon: Handgun; .380 caliber Offender: At large
Special Agent Buford French was shot and killed while patrolling the railroad yards in San Bernardino, California, approximately a half mile below Rialto Avenue.
As he escorted a hobo from the rail yards the man suddenly pulled out a gun and fatally shot him. His killer was never apprehended.
Special Agent French had served with the ATSF Railroad Police for six years and had previously served with the Riverside Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-66858723- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent French gave the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Buford A. French 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department, 24 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Buford A. French's cause is highlighted.
How Buford A. French Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Buford A. French is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Buford A. French was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
