Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Carl Buckland was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on South Fayette Street at 4 am. Patrolman Buckland had made initial contact with the driver and then walked around to speak with the passenger as his partner approached the driver. Patrolman Buckland asked the passenger, who had just been picked up by the driver while hitch-hiking, to step out of the car. As Patrolman Buckland searched the passenger, he located a small jar of moonshine. As he told his partner what he found, the suspect suddenly produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Patrolman Buckland in the chest. The man then fired at the other officer, who retreated to a vacant lot for cover. The other officer was able to return fire and struck the suspect in the head, killing him. Patrolman Buckland was transported to Raleigh General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Patrolman Buckland was a United States Marine Corps WWII veteran and served with the Beckley Police Department for five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 5-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-DFCB7E44- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Carl is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Buckland served with the Beckley Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Beckley community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Carl Dale Buckland served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Carl Dale Buckland is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Beckley 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Carl Dale Buckland's cause is highlighted.
How Carl Dale Buckland Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Carl Dale Buckland is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Carl Dale Buckland was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Carl Dale Buckland served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Carl Dale Buckland’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Beckley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
