Mequon Police Department, Wisconsin
End of Watch Sunday, December 2, 1979
Add to My HeroesThomas Elroy Buntrock
Chief Thomas Buntrock was accidentally shot and killed by a another officer following an armed robbery and hostage situation. The robbery suspect fled into a home where he took a man and infant child hostage. Chief Buntrock was able to negotiate the release of the hostages in exchange for taking the Chief hostage.
The suspect and Chief Buntrock moved to an automobile with Chief Buntrock in the driver's seat and the suspect in the rear seat. The vehicle remained in the same place and as it became dark out, Chief Buntrock lunged into the rear seat and was able to subdue the suspect and disarm him.
As Chief Buntrock emerged from the vehicle one of the officers mistook him for the suspect and opened fire, fatally wounding him.
Chief Buntrock had served with the Mequon Police Department for 19 years. He was survived by his wife and four sons.
Chief Buntrock was a graduate of the 100th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour 19 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 24 ReflectionsRest in peace Chief of Police Buntrock.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
May 15, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Ada County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024