The Tucson Police Department is mourning the death of an officer who was killed in the line of duty. According to TPD, Operations Division Midtown officers responded to a report of a male breaking windows at a nearby occupied business near East Speedway and North Campbell Avenue around 10 p.m. on March 31, 2024.
When the male suspect fled on foot, additional officers responded to assist. One of the responding officers was traveling northbound on Campbell Avenue with the emergency lights and siren activated. TPD says a white sedan failed to yield leading to a traffic collision.
The force sent the officer’s patrol vehicle into a traffic signal pole on the northeast corner of the intersection. Witnesses came to the officer’s aid until other officers reached the scene. The injured officer was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver and passenger of the white sedan were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. TPD has identified the fallen officer as 31-year-old Adam R. Buckner who joined the department in November 2021. Buckner started his law enforcement career in 2017 with the New Orleans Police Department. TPD says he is survived by his wife, mother, sister, and three brothers.
Anyone who would like to contribute to Buckner’s family can do so by making donations through the Erik Hite Foundation here.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.