Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Buck succumbed to wounds sustained one month earlier when he was shot by a parolee during a traffic stop. Another officer returned fire wounding the shooter. The shooter and the shooter's cousin were both arrested at the scene and charged with murder. The officers stopped the suspects because they had just robbed an ice cream parlor. The gunman was also wanted for burglary and grand theft in Modesto. The 27-year-old gunman was convicted of first degree murder on July 3, 1933, and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison. His accomplice was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to San Quentin Prison. The gunman was paroled on June 1, 1954. Officer Buck had served with the agency for 3 years.
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BO-US-CA-0DDAAB9C- Stewardship
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- 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.
Officer Buck gave the San Jose Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Buck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John Buck 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 Jose Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Buck's cause is highlighted.
How John Buck Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1954
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Buck is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Buck was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
