Buford A. French
Incident
Location: California Weapon: Handgun; .380 caliber Offender: At large
Special Agent Buford French was shot and killed while patrolling the railroad yards in San Bernardino, California, approximately a half mile below Rialto Avenue.
As he escorted a hobo from the rail yards the man suddenly pulled out a gun and fatally shot him. His killer was never apprehended.
Special Agent French had served with the ATSF Railroad Police for six years and had previously served with the Riverside Police Department.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent French gave the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent French.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department has lost 32 officers; 24 of them killed feloniously.
Buford is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
Buford is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Buford is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1932, 1 officer at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 1932, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Buford was 40. Of the 21 killed feloniously at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 48; the middle age was 43. Buford had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Buford was 40. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Buford had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Buford was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Buford had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Buford was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Buford had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 4.2% of these deaths at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department; August holds the most, 16.7%. Fridays: 20.8%.
November holds 9.7% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Fridays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 32 deaths at Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .380 caliber, in 4.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .380 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .380 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .380 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department has 32 officers remembered here, Buford among them.
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Charles Hale
Oct 7, 1874
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Joseph Lampkin Dec 8, 1891
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George C. Montgomery Oct 5, 1901
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C. S. Calhoun Jul 12, 1905
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Thomas Clay Warden
Mar 2, 1906
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Oscar G. Bodley
Aug 29, 1906
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Charles L. Stewart
Aug 13, 1908
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J. A. McClure Jan 25, 1911
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John P. Cates Jun 7, 1911
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Joseph M. Kroskey Feb 22, 1912
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George W. Greenstreet Jun 17, 1912
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George W. LaPorte Mar 21, 1914
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Thomas J. Sullivan Apr 5, 1915
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William Francis Langdon
Dec 10, 1915
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Charles A. Kieper
Mar 17, 1919
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Jack Chelton Harris
Jul 15, 1919
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L. Frank Cornelius
Jan 20, 1921
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Thomas McMillin Aug 29, 1921
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Charles Sherman Patterson Aug 29, 1921
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Roy E. Burton Jul 27, 1922
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Vernon L. Holzer Aug 21, 1923
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Louis McCamant Apr 25, 1924
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Edward Lee Bowler Jan 16, 1925
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Lewis H. Mickey Mar 20, 1925
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Roy W. Stewart Jan 9, 1926
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Earl Scothorn Nov 13, 1927
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James Edward Dunman
Oct 29, 1930
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Buford A. French Nov 11, 1932
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John H. Nafziger
Jan 30, 1940
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Harry Lloyd Ashley
Dec 19, 1947
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Jimmie Allen Barnett Apr 29, 1975
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James Robert Robison
Feb 10, 1986
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.





