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Incident
Marshal Buckley was shot and killed while investigating suspicious activity near a local bank while on his nightly patrol. He heard sounds coming from a drainage ditch near the bank and called out to whoever was there. The suspect(s) then opened fire, striking Marshal Buckley three times, before fleeing. Marshal Buckley was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the next morning. Evidence found in the drainage ditch suggested the suspect(s) were planning a robbery of the bank. The suspect(s) were never apprehended. Marshal Buckley was Selah's first Town Marshal and had served in law enforcement for 8 months.
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Buckley served with the Selah Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Selah community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Buckley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Ernest is the only officer of Selah Police Department remembered here.
Ernest is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 6 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 27. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Ernest had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ernest was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Wednesdays: 15%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Selah Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Selah Police Department are honored on badge.nw.