Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frank Buczek was shot in the back of the head and killed while working a special detail in a church parking lot at West 6th and Liberty Streets. It is thought that he was ambushed from behind and his service weapon stolen. He was killed just two blocks away from where Patrolman Robert Perry was killed on July 1, 1970. Two suspects were arrested, members of the Plainfield, New Jersey Black Panther Party. Suspects later became members of the Black Liberation Arm. Both were acquitted at trial. He had served with the agency for 24 years and was survived by his wife and three children. He was six months away from retirement.
Survivors
He had served with the agency for 24 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-B1E40B06- 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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Buczek gave the Plainfield Police Division 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Plainfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Buczek.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Frank Buczek 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Plainfield Police Division, 4 of 4 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. Frank Buczek's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Buczek Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Buczek is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Buczek was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Plainfield Police Division are honored on badge.nw.
