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Incident
Conservation Officer Samuel Buntrock was killed in an airplane crash near Montpelier while conducting an elk survey in the Caribou National Forest. He and two members of the United States Forest Service were in a Cessna 182 that had taken off from Pocatello in the morning. A search was initiated after the plane failed to return. The wreckage was located in a canyon near Montpelier later in the afternoon. Officer Buntrock, the pilot, and both Forest Service employees were killed in the crash. Officer Buntrock had served with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by two aunts, four uncles, and cousins.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Conservation Officer Buntrock gave the Idaho Department of Fish and Game 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Boise community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Buntrock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Idaho Department of Fish and Game has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Samuel is one of 21 officers lost to accidents in ID, 29.2% of the 72 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1974, 1 officer in ID was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 19 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 2.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Samuel was 27. Of the 19 lost to accidents in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 58; the middle age was 49. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Samuel was 27. 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. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 23.8% of these deaths in ID, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 9.5%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 72 deaths in ID, 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
Idaho Department of Fish and Game has 5 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Idaho Department of Fish and Game are honored on badge.nw.
