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Incident
Officer John Buck succumbed to wounds sustained one month earlier when he was shot by a parolee during a traffic stop. Another officer returned fire wounding the shooter. The shooter and the shooter's cousin were both arrested at the scene and charged with murder. The officers stopped the suspects because they had just robbed an ice cream parlor. The gunman was also wanted for burglary and grand theft in Modesto. The 27-year-old gunman was convicted of first degree murder on July 3, 1933, and sentenced to life in Folsom Prison. His accomplice was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to San Quentin Prison. The gunman was paroled on June 1, 1954. Officer Buck had served with the agency for 3 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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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.
Officer Buck gave the San Jose Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Jose community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Buck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
San Jose Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1933, 1 officer at San Jose Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1933, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 27. Of the 8 killed feloniously at San Jose Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 38.3; the middle age was 34.5. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
John was 27. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John 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. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12.5% of these deaths at San Jose Police Department; July holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at San Jose Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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.
His people
San Jose Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Morris Van Dyck Hubbard
Jul 12, 1924
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John Buck
Apr 5, 1933
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John J. Covalesk
Nov 15, 1950
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Richard E. Huerta
Aug 6, 1970
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Robert A. White
Jan 27, 1985
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Henry I. Bunch
Jul 29, 1985
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Robert Lee Wirht
Sep 8, 1988
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Gordon A. Silva
Jan 20, 1989
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Gene Ronald Simpson
Jan 20, 1989
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Desmond J. Casey
Oct 25, 1999
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Jeffrey Michael Fontana
Oct 28, 2001
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Michael Jeremiah Johnson
Mar 24, 2015
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Michael Jason Katherman
Jun 14, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-E
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Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from San Jose Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
