John J. Buckley
Agency patch
Officer

John J. Buckley

Pittsburg Police Department — Pittsburg, CA
Felonious
End of Watch December 13, 1935
Age 39
The Vigil Panel 70 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer Buckley was shot and killed after he and an officer responded to a cafe at the intersection of Second and Black Diamond Streets. They were called to investigate reports of a drunk man causing a disturbance and shooting his gun in the cafe.

When Officer Buckley and his partner arrived, Officer Buckley stayed at the front of the business and the other officer went around to the back. As the suspect attempted to flee, he shot and wounded Officer Buckley's partner. He then ran around to the front of the store and shot Officer Buckley in the chest, fatally wounding him.

The suspect fled to a nearby house where he was located the following morning. He was shot and killed during an ensuing shootout.

Officer John J. Buckley will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in Heaven.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb (Retired) New York State Police - Troop D February 19th, 2018

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-82EBC4AC
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.
Officer Buckley served with the Pittsburg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pittsburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Buckley.

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

Agency

Location Pittsburg, CA
Platform Identity pittpd.contracosta.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 13, 1935
Age 39
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Shot and killed

Officer John 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 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 Pittsburg Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsburg Police Department
3
of 3 officers
100% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Buckley's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How John J. Buckley Compares

Age at End of Watch
39
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Buckley is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Buckley was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Pittsburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.