Police Officer John Whiteoak Buckley, Arlington County Police Department, Virginia

Police Officer John Whiteoak Buckley

Arlington County Police Department, Virginia

End of Watch Friday, April 15, 1977

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John Whiteoak Buckley

Police Officer John Buckley was shot and killed while responding to a bank robbery at the intersection of South Glebe Road and Columbia Pike at 3:30 pm.

He was en route home following traffic court when the robbery call was broadcast. He was the first unit on scene and was walking up the steps to the bank lobby when a suspect exited. He was attempting to take the man into custody when a second subject approached him from behind and fatally shot him.

The getaway driver was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison. The subject who shot him was never apprehended.

Officer Buckley had served with the Arlington County Police Department for almost five years. He was survived by his expectant wife.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 5 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Never apprehended

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I was there that day in a private ambulance that happened to be sitting at the stop light when this incident went down. I was the first person to reach Officer Buckley after he was shot. He was down at the top of the steps. An police officer was behind the mailbox on the corner and when he saw me and my partner sitting at the stoplight in our private ambulance, he pointed at me and then up at Officer Buckley though all I could see of Officer Buckley was his shoes. I then grabbed the Jump Bag and ran across the street and up the stairs to him and initiated CPR. It was a real tragic circumstance, if I remember correctly he was only 27 years old, had recently married and his wife was pregnant. I have thought of the incident often over the years and I pray his wife and child fared well after his passing. My best wishes to them and all who knew him.

Barbara Lee (Sandy)
Was present and assisted at the scene

April 8, 2025