UPDATE (2:08 p.m., April 1):
A news release issued by Tucson Police this afternoon provided more details on the crash that took the life of Tucson Police Officer Adam R. Buckner.
- Buckner was responding to a report of an adult male breaking windows at a business near East Speedway and North Campbell Avenue. The suspect had fled on foot and additional officers were requested to assist.
- Buckner collided with a white Sedan while traveling through the intersection at North Campbell Avenue and East Sixth Street. The Sedan failed to yield while make a turn at the intersection, despite Buckner having his emergency lights and siren activated, according to the news release.
The collision sent Buckner's patrol vehicle into a traffic signal pole on the northeast corner of the intersection.
- Buckner started his law enforcement career with the New Orleans Police Department and joined TPD in November of 2017, according to the news release. He was assigned to squad nine as their lead police officer. Buckner is survived by his wife, mother, sister and three brothers.
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UPDATE:
Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar and Mayor Regina Romero held a press conference Monday, April 1, on the crash that killed a Tucson Police officer Sunday night.
Kasmar identified the victim as Officer Adam Buckner. Kasmar said Buckner, 31, was on his way to a call in a 2007 Crown Victoria, marked patrol car. He was driving north on North Campbell Avenue with his emergency lights and siren activated.
Buckner was going through the East Sixth Street intersection on a green light when a vehicle making a turn failed to yield, causing a collision, Kasmar said.
Kasmar said community members and officers rendered first aid until Tucson Fire arrived. Buckner was transported to University Medical Center where he died from his injuries, Kasmar said.
The other driver sustained minor injuries and there were no sings of impairment, Kasmar said.
The investigation is ongoing. Kasmar is asking any member of the public who witnessed the crash to contact TPD's Traffic Investigations Unit at (520) 791-4389.
"Officer Buckner was a son, a brother, a son, a husband, and a friend of many. And he was a true law enforcement professional," said Kasmar at the press conference. "Adam was a Tucsonan by choice. He came to us in November of 2021 from Louisiana....We were lucky to have him."
You can watch the full press conference below:
I am heartbroken after hearing Officer Buckner died in the line of duty. This is a stark reminder that police and first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) April 1, 2024
My thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and members of the Tucson PD. We…
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Story Updated at 3:35 a.m. on Monday, April 1st:
TPD says the officer that was involved in a crash near Campbell Ave. and 6th St. Sunday night, has died from his injuries. The department confirmed it was a male officer; and he was responding to a call for service when he ended up involved in a collision.
KGUN 9 crews are en route to the scene now; officers say they will have an update later this morning at 10 a.m.
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The Tucson Police Department says one of its officers was involved in a crash Sunday night.
According to TPD, the crash happened near Campbell Ave. and 6th St., just before 10 p.m on Sunday, March 31st. TPD says one of its officers was hurt in the crash, and was taken to Banner with unknown injuries.
Details are extremely limited at this time, but drivers in the area are encouraged to seek an alternate route while police investigate.