Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John Buchanan was shot and killed through a closet door by a suspect the officers were chasing. As Officer Buchanan stood outside the door and ordered the man out the suspect opened fire. The suspect was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to two to 21 years in prison. The man died in 1971. Officer Buchanan had served with the Indianapolis Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IN-35620F82- 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 Buchanan gave the Indianapolis Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Buchanan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer John F. Buchanan 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 IN, 311 of 503 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 Indianapolis Police Dept., 38 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Buchanan's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Buchanan Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of manslaughter
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Buchanan is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Buchanan was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
58 officers from Indianapolis Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
