Video: Civilian Worker for Chicago PD Slain
John Buckner worked 25 years as a civilian employee for the Chicago Police Department, and on Thursday some of the department's top brass gathered to talk about the "senseless" shooting death of a man "always willing to lend a helping hand."

John Buckner worked 25 years as a civilian employee for the Chicago Police Department, and on Thursday some of the department's top brass gathered to talk about the "senseless" shooting death of a man "always willing to lend a helping hand," reports the Chicago Tribune.
Buckner, 59, was unloading groceries with his wife near his home in Morgan Park when three teens on bicycles rode past and started shooting around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, police said.
Buckner was shot at least twice in the abdomen. A second person, a 41-year-old man, suffered a minor wound to the ear.
Police said the shooting apparently stemmed from an earlier gang fight in a neighborhood park and they don't believe Buckner or the other man were the intended targets.
No one was in custody, but detectives were reviewing video from police cameras in the neighborhood and conducting interviews.
Buckner, known as "Buck," handled police gear and did administrative work for the Police Department.
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