Incident
Patrolman Fred Buhland was shot and killed after he and several other officers were investigating shots fired. Upon their arrival, they found two intoxicated men holding guns. The guns were confiscated and the men arrested, but not searched, when one man ran from the officers. While fleeing, the man produced another gun, fired several shots and struck Patrolman Buhland twice, killing him. The suspect fled the scene and was never identified or apprehended. Patrolman Buhland had served with the South Bend Police Department for only one month.
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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.
Patrolman Buhland served with the South Bend Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Buhland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Bend Police Department has lost 15 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Fred is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Fred is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Fred 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 1921, 1 officer at South Bend Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 1921, 5 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Fred was 37. Of the 11 killed feloniously at South Bend Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 39; the middle age was 36. Fred had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Fred was 37. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Fred was 37. 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. Fred had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Fred was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Fred had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.1% of these deaths at South Bend Police Department; November holds the most, 18.2%. Mondays: 9.1%.
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.3% of all 15 deaths at South Bend Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 36.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
South Bend Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Fred among them.
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Oscar W. Christensen
May 11, 1897
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Lewis Keller
Feb 25, 1898
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Samuel Cooper Nov 1, 1900
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Hans B. Brandt
Jun 18, 1916
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Fred E. Buhland Jan 10, 1921
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Neil Mason McIntyre
Dec 25, 1923
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Lloyd L. Thompson
Feb 27, 1932
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Charles E. Farkas, Sr.
May 27, 1933
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Delbert Thompson
May 27, 1933
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Howard C. Wagner
Jun 30, 1934
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Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.
Aug 19, 1967
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Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.
Nov 14, 1974
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Paul Richard Deguch
Aug 24, 1997
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Scott Lee Severns
Apr 23, 2006
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Nick Samuel Polizzotto
Apr 24, 2007
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
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