Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Buckley was shot and killed while responding to a bank robbery at the intersection of South Glebe Road and Columbia Pike at 3:30 pm. He was en route home following traffic court when the robbery call was broadcast. He was the first unit on scene and was walking up the steps to the bank lobby when a suspect exited. He was attempting to take the man into custody when a second subject approached him from behind and fatally shot him. The getaway driver was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison. The subject who shot him was never apprehended. Officer Buckley had served with the Arlington County Police Department for almost five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-DF602596- 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 Buckley gave the Arlington County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Buckley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Whiteoak 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 VA, 395 of 654 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Arlington County Police Department, 4 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Whiteoak Buckley's cause is highlighted.
How John Whiteoak Buckley Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Whiteoak Buckley is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Whiteoak Buckley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Arlington County Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
