Theodore J. Buckley

Arizona Department of Corrections — Phoenix, AZ

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 22, 1973

Age 26

Tour of Duty 6 mo

The Vigil Panel 112 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Correctional Officer Ted Buckley and Correctional Officer Dale Morey were both beaten and stabbed during a prison uprising at the Arizona State Prison in Florence. Officer Morey had been attacked in a prison cell block and badly beaten. Officer Buckley had gone to his assistance when he was also attacked. Four inmates were charged with the officers' murders. One, 18, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two life sentences on March 4th, 1974. Charges against the other three were dismissed. Officer Buckley was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Arizona Department of Corrections for six months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AZ-D621583D
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Correctional Officer Buckley served with the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arizona, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Arizona Department of Corrections

Location Phoenix, AZ

Platform Identity adcorr.maricopa.az.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 22, 1973

Tour of Duty 6 mo

Age 26

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Edged weapon; Knife

Offender Sentenced to life

Military Service

Theodore J. Buckley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Correctional Officer Theodore J. Buckley 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 AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Arizona Department of Corrections, 5 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Arizona Department of Corrections

of 10 officers

50% Felonious

AZ — Statewide

204

of 330 officers

61.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious