Slain security guard Lawrence Buckner remembered as hero, family man

Lawrence Buckner was the security guard at the gate of the U.S. Census Bureau in Suitland, Md., when he was shot and killed in the line of duty Thursday evening.

Buckner was 59 years old -- an experienced security guard, Army veteran and family man.

According to D.C. police, Buckner saw two people fighting in a green Honda vehicle that matched the description of the suspect in an armed kidnapping in D.C. When Buckner approached the Honda, he was shot.

Buckner was armed with a 9mm Glock pistol at the time.

He was conscious when he was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center, but died there at 7:19 p.m.

Buckner was married for 36 years. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and son, also named Lawrence. He also had four grandchildren -- Shakira, Ramsey, Adarylis, and Josiah.

Buckner had worked the last four years for Master Security, which does contract work for the Department of Homeland Security, which guards this government complex.

The company's CEO called Buckner a "hero who died in the line of duty while protecting those he cared for immensely on a daily basis."

Buckner was a security guard for 20 years. He served in the U.S. Army for eight years. His company said that his years in these professions "reinforced his innate sense of honor, dignity and pride."

His family has asked media not to contact them while they deal with this "tragic loss."

The Department of Homeland Security in a statement said that "the senseless act of violence reminds us of the risk the men and women who work on the front lines to protect our federal facilities."

Census Bureau shooting suspect shot by DC police after chase; officers injured, guard killed