Incident
Lead Police Officer Adam Buckner was struck and killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a call for service.
Around 10:00 p.m., Officer Buckner was traveling north on Campbell Avenue in Tucson with emergency lights and sirens activated. As he went through the green light at the intersection at East 6th Street, a vehicle failed to yield and turned into his patrol car.
He was transported to Banner University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer Buckner had served with the Tucson Police Department for over two years and previously served with the New Orleans Police Department (Louisiana) for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, brothers, and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp7kkgdkb50e7d23hf55- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Adam. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lead Police Officer Buckner gave the Tucson Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lead Police Officer Buckner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tucson Police Department has lost 11 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Adam is one of 95 officers lost to accidents in AZ, 28.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Adam is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Adam is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 2 officers in AZ were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 56 years on record. The heaviest was 1973, with 5.
In 2024, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2024, 54 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Adam was 31. Of the 92 lost to accidents in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 34.5. Adam had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Adam was 31. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Adam had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Adam was 31. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Adam had served 6.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.3% of these deaths in AZ; November holds the most, 14.7%. Sundays: 14.7%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 27.3% of all 11 deaths at Tucson Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Tucson Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Adam among them.
-
William Elliott
Jul 3, 1892
-
William H. Katzenstein
Jul 26, 1902
-
Robert V. Cummins
Sep 7, 1936
-
Barry W. Headricks
Oct 28, 1974
-
James Anthony Smith
Oct 28, 1980
-
Jeffrey H. Ross
Feb 18, 1982
-
Patrick Kent Hardesty
May 26, 2003
-
Erik David Hite
Jun 2, 2008
-
Stephen Cody Kass
May 5, 2021
-
Jason H. Southard
Nov 26, 2021
-
Adam Buckner
Mar 31, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-ET
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tucson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









