Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Elmo Buckner was shot and killed while investigating an automobile crash on Main Street in Ringgold.
The driver struck a barricade set up to keep vehicles off of new paving. The driver, who had only slight damage to his car, insisted that the town pay for his damage. As Marshal Buckner explained that he would have to pay for the damage, he became enraged, pulled a pistol, and shot Marshal Buckner four times, killing him.
The driver, 35, and a passenger were arrested and charged with his murder. The driver pleaded guilty in November 1932 and was sentenced to life in prison. He was in a Louisiana insane asylum for a year in 1920. He applied for a pardon on December 3, 1934.
Marshal Buckner was survived by his wife and predeceased by two children.
Survivors
Marshal Buckner was survived by his wife and predeceased by two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-AE3ED52B- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Elmo. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Buckner served with the Ringgold Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ringgold community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Buckner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Elmo D. Buckner 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 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. Elmo D. Buckner's cause is highlighted.
How Elmo D. Buckner Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmo D. Buckner is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmo D. Buckner was killed by handgun; pistol.