Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Robert "Tim" Buckman succumbed to injuries sustained five days earlier when his vehicle was caught in a massive tornado as he responded to rural portions of Stafford County, Kansas, to warn residents of approaching tornadoes.
While on U.S. Highway 50 east of Macksville, a tornado swept up his squad car and flung it 300 yards into a field.
Officer Buckman was taken to a hospital in Wichita, where he remained in critical condition until succumbing to his injuries. In his final act of service, his organs were donated.
The tornado was classified as an enhanced F5, the most powerful level, and it stretched 1.7 miles wide with wind speeds near 205 mph. Ninety-five percent of the town of Greensburg was destroyed by the tornado, which killed nine civilians.
Officer Buckman had served with the Macksville Police Department for five years.
Officer Buckman had served with the Macksville Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, two sisters, six grandchildren, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-C5094985- 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 Buckman gave the Macksville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Macksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Buckman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Robert Buckman is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KS, 66 of 335 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 19.7% of this state's fallen. That is 11.3 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Buckman's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Buckman Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Buckman is highlighted in May.