Roll of Honor
Incident
Agent John Buxton was shot and killed after responding to gunshot reports near Rock Springs, Wyoming. He located two juvenile subjects at the scene and informed them that hunting season was over. He confiscated a rifle from the two, and as he went to place it in his vehicle, the subject called to him. When he turned around, the youth shot him with a handgun he had concealed in his coat. The subject was apprehended, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and sentenced to 20 to 21 years. He was paroled in 1924 but disappeared and was never apprehended. Agent Buxton was a United States Army World War I veteran and served with the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish for less than one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, two sisters, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-88E44B9D- 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 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.
Agent Buxton served with the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish.
Thank you for your service to the Cheyenne 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
John J. Buxton served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Agent John J. Buxton 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, 3 of 6 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 J. Buxton's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Buxton Compares
Offender Outcome
weapons violation
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Buxton is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Buxton was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Wyoming Department of Game and Fish are honored on badge.nw.
