Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Buechner was shot and killed at about 10:10 pm when he and two other officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 3300 block of Wire Road.
After the officers arrived on the scene a subject at the mobile home opened fire on them, killing Officer Buechner and wounding two other officers. The man fled the area on foot but was arrested early the next morning approximately one mile away.
The subject was convicted of capital murder in August 2023 and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Officer Buechner had served with the Auburn Police Division for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-781C04EC- 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.
Police Officer Buechner gave the Auburn Police Division 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Auburn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Buechner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Ray Buechner, Jr. 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 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. William Ray Buechner, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Ray Buechner, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Ray Buechner, Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Ray Buechner, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.