Conservation Officer Samuel B. Buntrock, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho

Conservation Officer Samuel B. Buntrock

Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho

End of Watch Wednesday, May 29, 1974

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Samuel B. Buntrock

Conservation Officer Samuel Buntrock was killed in an airplane crash near Montpelier while conducting an elk survey in the Caribou National Forest.

He and two members of the United States Forest Service were in a Cessna 182 that had taken off from Pocatello in the morning. A search was initiated after the plane failed to return. The wreckage was located in a canyon near Montpelier later in the afternoon. Officer Buntrock, the pilot, and both Forest Service employees were killed in the crash.

Officer Buntrock had served with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for two years. He was survived by two aunts, four uncles, and cousins.

Bio

Age 27
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident

plane crash, wildlife management

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Officer Buntrock was in a helicopter crash only months before the plane crash that killed him. In that crash he hiked miles in deep snow back to the highway to get help.

He was not scheduled to fly on the day he died, but stepped up and covered for an officer that had gotten sick and was supposed to fly that day.

Sam,
The fact that you got into a plane after surviving a helicopter crash only months before really speaks to your bravery. You are not forgotten, and neither is you sacrifice. I currently am the Conservation Officer that covers the area where you were killed, and will think of you every time I am in that canyon. Rest In Peace Brother.

Kolby White - SCO Montpelier
Idaho Fish and Game

December 6, 2024