FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Flagstaff Police Department has confirmed that the officer involved in Saturday morning’s fatal crash on East Butler Avenue was the same officer previously involved in a separate injury collision last year.
On September 20, 2025, at approximately 7:32 a.m., Officer Jacob Buckwald was driving when he collided with another vehicle near Sinagua Heights Drive. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and medical personnel, the male driver of the other vehicle died at the scene. At the request of the victim’s family, his identity has not been publicly released.
Buckwald was transported to Flagstaff Medical Center following the crash but was released the same day with only minor injuries. He was placed on administrative leave while the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) conducts an independent investigation into the cause of the collision.
Prior Accident in 2024
This was not the first serious collision involving Buckwald. On June 28, 2024, he was in a crash at Fourth Street and East Route 66 that caused injuries and was later attributed to a sudden medical emergency. Following that incident, Buckwald was placed on leave and underwent extensive medical evaluations.
He was cleared for limited duty in December 2024, received a final medical clearance in July 2025, and returned to modified patrol on August 4. Just weeks before the fatal crash, on August 31, he resumed full patrol duty.
Resignation After Fatal Crash
Flagstaff Police confirmed that Buckwald resigned from the department on September 23, 2025, citing medical reasons.
The Arizona DPS is leading the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the September 20 crash. The cause has not yet been determined.
