Mr. Buracker's company, Carroll Buracker and Associates, Inc. (CBI), based in Harrisonburg, conducted more than 260 in-depth efficiency and management studies of police, sheriffs and fire departments; emergency medical services; 9-1-1 centers; and security services in over 120 major cities and counties around the world. Mr. Buracker served as project manager for the comprehensive assessment of Chicago's new police/fire/EMS communications system; for the emergency dispatch study in Los Angeles; for development of integrated police and security plans for the downtown districts of the cities of Seattle and Cleveland and many more. CBI's recommendations vastly improved public safety operations, drove down crime, and saved taxpayers' money.
Mr. Buracker founded a second, non-profit company, the Center for Public Safety (CPS) which was chosen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct the first and only nationwide study of policing in public housing in the United States. He became a national leader in setting standards of quality and best practices for community policing in cities and urban counties. Under his leadership, CPS and CBI produced the first nationwide community policing training video for the federal government which was released to 800 municipalities.
Mr. Buracker honed his penchant for excellence and quality while serving 20 years with the Fairfax County Police Department. He joined on New Years Day, 1966 and rose through every rank to become the Chief of Police in 1981, a position he held until his retirement in 1985. Working full time in the police department, Mr. Buracker earned both bachelor's and master's degrees from American University in six-and-a-half years, becoming the first police chief in Virginia to hold a master's degree. Later, he also graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Chief Buracker modernized law enforcement in Fairfax County with the addition of the police helicopter program; the installation of computers in police cruisers; the acquisition of armored vehicles for the SWAT team; the creation of an automated fingerprint identification system; authorization to create the department's own training facility; and standardization of blue lights on police vehicles throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
He served as chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Police Chiefs' Committee and co-chaired the development of the Area Emergency Disaster Plan. That plan, with updates, has been implemented three times, including the day of the attack on the Pentagon.
As police chief, he was awarded Fairfax County government's two highest honors, the Onthank Leadership and the Unusual Ability Awards. He was also the recipient of more than 50 awards, including the Gold Salute Award bestowed upon him by the United Black Fund of Washington, D.C. for his work in recruiting and promoting blacks and women in law enforcement.
Born in Luray, Virginia on July 3, 1942, Carroll David Buracker was raised by foster parents. He worked on farms while attending school yet managed to excel in sports at Luray High School, becoming the first to letter in four sports. His love of athletics and physical fitness led to a lifelong passion for running. Renowned for covering over 60 miles a week, Mr. Buracker was a marathon runner who completed 12 major marathons, including Boston, the Marine Corps and New York, in less than three hours.
He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and returned to complete a brief stint as a Harrisonburg police officer before moving to Fairfax County. A chance encounter between the officer and a receptionist at the National Bank and Trust Company in McLean culminated in marriage to Patricia Blair Buracker. In addition to his wife of 38 years, survivors include the couple's two sons, David and Brian Buracker.
A visitation will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22032 on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. where services will begin at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Fairfax Memorial Park.
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