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Incident
Chief of Police Thomas Buntrock was accidentally shot and killed by another officer following an armed robbery and hostage situation. The robbery suspect fled into a home where he took a man and infant child hostage. Chief Buntrock was able to negotiate the release of the hostages in exchange for taking the Chief hostage. The suspect and Chief Buntrock moved to an automobile with Chief Buntrock in the driver's seat and the suspect in the rear seat. The vehicle remained in the same place, and as it became dark out, Chief Buntrock lunged into the rear seat and was able to subdue the suspect and disarm him. As Chief Buntrock emerged from the vehicle, one of the officers mistook him for the suspect and opened fire, fatally wounding him. The hostage taker and robbery suspect was out on bail and had not returned to his court-ordered halfway house, where he was to stay until he was sentenced for robbery and injuring police officers, was also shot and killed. Chief Buntrock had served with the Mequon Police Department for 19 years. He was survived by his wife and four sons. Chief Buntrock was a graduate of the 100th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four sons.
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.
Chief of Police Buntrock gave the Mequon Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mequon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Buntrock.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Mequon Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1979, 4 officers in WI were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 43. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. Thomas had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Thomas was 43. 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. Thomas had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 43. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 6.4% of these deaths in WI; July holds the most, 16.8%. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Mequon Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.3% of all 318 deaths in WI, 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
Mequon Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mequon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.