Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

God rest his soul.

Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired

April 16, 2023

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 26, 2020

I'll never be brave as you and will never be as tough but I've got your back. You'll always be remembered and celebrate by me on my personal Facebook page.

Civilian Chris Barnes

August 26, 2016

Life is very beautiful. Thank you for serving in our law enforcement. RIP

John Haseltine - Civilian

August 26, 2016

Rest In Peace Patrolman Buckland, your service and sacrifice is remembered.

Sgt. Jarrod L. Wilson / K9 Officer
West Virginia Division Of Corrections

August 26, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 57th anniversary year of your death. I am priviliged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 14, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Deputy Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

February 5, 2013

Although i was not born at the time of you're death nordo i know any of you're family.. I fill compelled to write, and say , I know the loss you're family and freinds have and did and always will fill..M y heart goes out to them, never did i expect that i would go through something like this, but i as the mother in law to my daughter's husband whom we lost last August 29, 2006, to gunfire as well,I write this with sadness for you're family , friends, and fellow brother's in law...
R.I.P..You all gave you're life ,so that we may be safe....My son in law was Chuck Smith, he as well as you and many other officers that have given there life, was taken so fast, we will never forget all of you..
Fifty years between, he was taken out on the 29th of Aug.2006...
As you , way to young..
Be at peace...

Alexandria Amick
Mother In Law Of A Fallen Officer

October 21, 2007

MY BROTHER, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

July 23, 2007

Dale, I was a small boy when i read in the newspaper about your couragous death. I remember thinking that you were a true hero a special person to be a polce officer. Later in life i too became one and joined the police dept. Your name was a legend and i always admired you when i saw your picture in the hallway at the department.I think the good lord has a special place in heaven for "cops" and i just know you are there. Your Brother in Arms, Butch.

Chief of Detectives (Ret).Butch Fink.
Beckley City Police Dept.

September 3, 2006

"In the simple performance of duty,
he pinned on a badge,
checked his gear with a practiced eye,
and kissed his loved ones good-bye.
In the simple performance of duty,
he reported for work,
joked with his buddies at roll call,
and made his last trip down the squad room hall.
In the simple performance of duty,
he answered the call
to help the helpless, to find the lost,
no matter the danger or how great the cost.
In the simple performance of duty,
he lay down his life,
for those in peril he tried to save,
our brave friend went to his grave.
In the simple performance of duty,
we honor his deed,
as we carry him to rest in a flag-draped casket,
long after the world has forgotten, we shall never forget.
Never judge or regret, what he did, In the simple performance of duty."

-Author unknown

You are not Forgotten

Sergeant J.R. Corey
Beckley Police Dept.

August 22, 2006

Although I was only 5 years old when Officer Buckland was killed I feel we should all honor those men and women who gave their life for our City. Officer Buckland will never be forgotten by the citizens of Beckley.

Emmett Pugh / Mayor
Coty of Beckley

October 24, 2005

HE WAS DALE TO THOSE OF US THAT KNEW HIM WELL. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, WE STILL REMEMBER AND TALK DALE BUCKLAND....HE IS STILL MISSED.

DALE WAS THE YOUTH CHOIR DIRECTOR AT MY CHURCH. HE WAS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT A PERSON SHOULD BE-BUT OFTEN ISN'T.

HE HAD A SENSE OF HUMOR THAT WAS SURPASSED BY NO ONE. NO MATTER HOW BAD YOU FELT, DALE WOULD BRING A LITTLE SUNSHINE INTO YOUR DAY.

HE WAS A GOOD HUSBAND AND FATHER, A GREAT SON AND YOU WERE LUCKY IF DALE WAS YOUR FRIEND. HIS COUSIN AND I WERE SO LUCKY TO KNOW HIM AS A FRIEND.

THE TOWN OF BECKLEY HAS HAD MANY HEROES FOR SUCH A SMALL TOWN, NONE WAS MORESO THEN PATROLMAN DALE BUCKLAND.

HIS FRIEND,

PEG PENNINGTON SNUFFER

pege pennington snuffer
citizen

September 14, 2005

Having been born and raised in Beckley, West Virginia, I remember the Sunday morning Officer Carl Dale Buckland was killed clearly. I was about to enter my junior year at Woodrow Wilson High School. Officer Buckland, known to me as Mr. Buckland died in the darkness before sunrise. When the shooting started, Officer Jess Williams, Mr. Buckland’s partner sought cover behind a heavy steel mail box the postal service had installed on a street corner across from the suspect vehicle. From this position, Officer Williams returned fire and killed the suspect who had shot Officer Buckland.

The general public learned of Mr. Buckland’s death over the two local radio stations available as they dressed for Sunday morning services. The sun broke the darkness turning August 26, 1956 into a bright, sunny day. But the news was not as uplifting as the weather. Serious crime, including police shootings read about in the daily newspapers as happening in distant places like Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles could happen in Beckley too. Known to the adult community as Dale, children and teenagers were not allowed to address or even speak of adults by their Christian name in 1956. He was Mr. Buckland to my peers and to me. We discussed what had occurred in our Sunday school class and Mr. Buckland was eulogized from every pulpit in the town.

It was a very different time in other ways. Television had not progressed to the point of being the first source of local news. Local radio brought the headlines and synopsis of local news. Newspapers brought the detail.

I remember Mr. Buckland as being a tall man with a lean build. He had a ready, warm smile for everyone and a pleasant disposition. He was the kind of policeman that would have generated compliments to the attention of his superiors and not complaints. He was an active member in his church and set a Christian example before his community as he went about his duties protecting and serving the citizens of Beckley.

Mrs. Buckland never remarried. She died in 1999. Officer Williams continued with the Beckley Police Department, I believe until retirement. He is probably deceased by now

J.A. Hatcher
Citizen

September 1, 2005

Patrolman Buckland, I'm sorry nobody has entered a memorial until now. Your sacrifice is not forgotten by your fellow officers who follow your path. God holds a special place for those who give their lives in the service of others. May you rest in His peace. If your partner is still alive, and sees this, my heart goes out to him too. He did all he could. God bless you both.

Sgt. Bill Richardson
Anchorage, Alaska PD

January 8, 2005