A former Shelbyville fire chief and long time member of the department has passed away.

Robert W. Buckley, of Manatee County, Florida, formerly of Shelbyville, passed away on July 3, 2022.  He was 81.

The Shelbyville Fire Department posted the following message along with Buckley's obituary information on its Facebook page:

It’s with great sadness we share the passing of our beloved former Fire Chief, Robert Buckley . Chief Buckley was greatly respected and loved . Please keep his family in your prayers.

Buckley graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1958 and attended Ball State University from 1958-1959.  He joined the United States Air Force Reserves on June 13, 1963, and was discharged on May 21, 1969. He was stationed at Bakalar Air Force Base in Columbus, Indiana as a Fire Protection Specialist.  On September 1, 1967, he received the Commander’s Achievement Award for that year. 

He joined the Shelbyville Fire Department on January 1, 1964, and retired on September 16, 2000, serving 36 years.  He served in all permanent ranks within the department.  He was Fire Chief from September 14, 1983 – January 1, 1992.  Prior to joining the department in 1964, he was a volunteer firefighter for Shelbyville and received the Good Government Award in 1963 alongside Allen Benfield for saving two children from a burning home.  He also received awards from the American Legion and Fraternal Order of Eagles throughout his career. 

He was also appointed Special Deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department on January 1, 1964, for a term of four years.

Funeral service and visitation details can be seen in the Obituary section of the Shelby County Post.