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Incident
Undersheriff Buzz Burford was shot and killed when he and a deputy had gone to a residence on a business matter. Unbeknownst to the deputies, the rancher and his wife and murdered two teenage ranch hands several days earlier. The two suspects, thinking the deputies were coming to arrest them for the murders, opened fire from an upstairs window as the deputies approached the house. Undersheriff Burford was struck in the leg and both deputies took cover behind the patrol car. During the shootout the deputies exhausted all of their ammunition but were pinned down behind the car. As night fell the deputy was able to make his way from the property and go for help, but before he returned the suspect came down and shot Undersheriff Burford in the head, killing him. The suspect was convicted and later hung for the crime.
Survivors
Undersheriff Burford was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Undersheriff Burford served with the Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ryegate community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Undersheriff Burford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Arthur is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Arthur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arthur 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 1938, 1 officer in MT was killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 58 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 6.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arthur was 43. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Arthur was 43. 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.
Arthur was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 11.8% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Thursdays: 11.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.5% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Arthur among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Golden Valley County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
