Retired ATF agent and former Green Beret Bill Buford recounts his military service, the deadly 1993 Waco raid, the fellow agents who helped save his life, and the sacrifices that shaped his career in federal law enforcement.
THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF BLUE – August 18, 2026 – For retired federal law enforcement agent Bill Buford, a lifetime of service has included military combat, dangerous criminal investigations, tactical leadership, serious gunshot injuries, and survival during one of the deadliest operations in the history of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
His experiences are the subject of an episode of The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast, titled “Bill Buford: Surviving Waco & a Lifetime in Law Enforcement,” published August 18, 2026.
The interview offers a personal account of Buford’s journey from Kansas City, Missouri, to the United States Army Special Forces and eventually into federal law enforcement.
It also revisits February 28, 1993, when Buford and other ATF agents attempted to execute federal warrants at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas.
The operation erupted into a deadly gun battle. Four ATF agents were killed, numerous others were wounded, and Buford suffered multiple gunshot injuries.
He survived, but the experience remained an important part of his life.
The story is not simply about the events at Waco. It is also about the relationships among officers, the importance of training, the responsibilities of tactical leadership, and the lasting consequences of losing colleagues in the line of duty.
Through his interviews, Buford offers a chance to understand the human experiences behind an event that remains a significant and controversial chapter in American law enforcement history.
From Kansas City to the Green Berets
Bill Buford grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, before beginning a career in military and federal law enforcement.
During the Vietnam era, he joined the United States Army and became a member of the Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets.
The Green Berets are trained for specialized military operations that require discipline, leadership, adaptability, and teamwork.
Their assignments can involve unconventional warfare, reconnaissance, and other operations conducted under demanding conditions.
For Buford, military service gave him experiences that shaped his approach to law enforcement throughout his career.
In a separate interview with Heroes Behind the Badge, Buford discussed the influence of family members who had served in earlier wars.
He also described a dangerous encounter during his military service in Vietnam when an enemy soldier’s rifle failed to fire at close range.
The incident became a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change during an armed confrontation.
Surviving military combat did not eliminate the dangers Buford would encounter later in life.
Instead, his military experience provided a foundation for the next chapter of his career.
An Unexpected Career With ATF
Following his military service, Buford returned to Kansas to pursue his education.
While living in Lawrence, Kansas, he encountered federal agents working for what was then known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
According to his recollections, the encounter occurred while agents were investigating incidents involving explosives.
Buford had not originally planned a career with ATF and knew relatively little about the agency’s responsibilities.
Nevertheless, the encounter eventually led him into federal law enforcement.
ATF agents investigate federal crimes involving firearms, explosives, arson, and related offenses.
Their assignments can include complex investigations, surveillance, undercover operations, and arrests involving potentially dangerous suspects.
Buford’s military experience provided a foundation for specialized assignments.
He eventually became involved in tactical operations and served as a Special Response Team leader.
These responsibilities required careful planning, coordination, communication, and the ability to make decisions under dangerous conditions.
Those skills would become critically important during the events at Waco.
Surviving a Shooting Before Waco
One of the remarkable aspects of Buford’s career is that the Waco operation was not his first experience with serious gunshot injuries.
According to the published description of his Brighter Side of Blue interview, Buford had already been shot multiple times and seriously wounded during an earlier arrest.
Despite those injuries, he continued serving in federal law enforcement.
Returning to duty after a serious shooting can involve difficult physical and emotional challenges.
Officers may require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from their assignments.
Some experience lasting physical limitations, while others face difficult decisions about returning to potentially dangerous work.
For Buford, continuing his career reflected his commitment to law enforcement and the people with whom he served.
However, nothing in his earlier experience could fully prepare him for the events of February 28, 1993.
February 28, 1993: The Waco Operation
The events at Waco began with a federal investigation involving David Koresh, whose legal name was Vernon Howell, and members of the Branch Davidian religious community.
The group occupied the Mount Carmel compound in unincorporated McLennan County, near Waco, Texas.
Federal authorities were investigating suspected violations of firearms and explosives laws.
ATF obtained judicially authorized arrest and search warrants.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the arrest warrant concerned alleged federal firearms and explosives violations, while the search warrant authorized agents to search the compound for evidence.
On February 28, 1993, at approximately 9:30 a.m., ATF agents attempted to execute the warrants.
Gunfire erupted, resulting in a prolonged and deadly confrontation.
Official ATF accounts state that agents came under fire while approaching the compound. The precise circumstances surrounding the first shots, however, have remained a subject of historical dispute.
Four ATF agents were killed:
- Special Agent Robert J. Williams
- Special Agent Steven D. Willis
- Special Agent Todd W. McKeehan
- Special Agent Conway C. LeBleu
Numerous additional agents suffered injuries.
The Department of Justice’s executive summary reports four agents killed and 16 wounded during the initial confrontation.
ATF’s retrospective account identifies 20 agents wounded by gunfire or shrapnel and eight who suffered other injuries.
These figures come from different official accounts and should not be treated as identical measures.
Individuals inside the compound were also killed or wounded.
The operation became the beginning of a larger tragedy that would continue for 51 days.
For Buford, however, the immediate concern was surviving the gunfire and helping the agents beside him.
Inside the Compound: Buford’s Fight for Survival
Buford was serving as a tactical team leader during the operation.
In his recorded interviews, he describes entering an upstairs room at the compound while agents encountered heavy gunfire.
According to Buford, one rifle round was fired through the floor and struck him.
Additional shots caused serious injuries to his hip and upper thigh.
The wounds were severe.
In his Heroes Behind the Badge interview, Buford explained that doctors left two bullets in his body because attempting to remove them would have presented additional medical risks.
One was located extremely close to his femoral artery, a major blood vessel in the upper leg.
Buford also recalled that fellow agent Glen Jordan was seriously wounded during the confrontation.
According to Buford, Jordan suffered an injury to his arm that damaged his brachial artery.
Despite his injuries, Jordan helped Buford by providing additional ammunition when Buford ran out of ammunition.
The two agents were attempting to survive while gunfire continued around them.
Buford eventually reached the roof outside the room.
He has acknowledged that he cannot remember exactly how he escaped through the window.
In his recorded account, he explained that he remembered discussing the need to escape with Jordan, but his next clear memory was being on the roof.
He then attempted to find a way down while the dangerous conditions continued.
His account also describes being evacuated by fellow agents.
Buford recalled being told afterward that agents placed him on the hood of a vehicle because available ambulance space was limited.
He said he had little memory of that portion of the evacuation.
These recollections illustrate the confusion, physical danger, and extraordinary circumstances confronting agents during the operation.
They also demonstrate how surviving a critical incident can depend on the actions of colleagues who risk their own safety to assist the wounded.
Ken Chisholm: Protecting a Wounded Colleague
One of the most memorable portions of Buford’s account involves ATF team medic, Ken Chisholm.
Buford described lying wounded on the ground after escaping the building.
Gunfire continued in the area.
According to Buford, Chisholm moved over him and used his own body to shield him from additional gunfire.
Buford later questioned why Chisholm had exposed himself to such danger.
Chisholm explained that he was determined to prevent his colleague from being shot again.
Buford also recalled that Chisholm helped provide emergency medical assistance while dangerous conditions continued.
The incident demonstrates the extraordinary responsibilities carried by tactical medics and emergency responders.
Their work can require providing lifesaving assistance under circumstances in which their own safety is far from guaranteed.
Chisholm’s actions also illustrate the bonds that develop among officers who train and work together.
During critical incidents, personnel may depend on colleagues to make immediate decisions that determine whether they survive.
For Buford, Chisholm’s actions became an unforgettable example of that commitment.
Remembering Special Agent Robert Williams
Perhaps the most emotional part of Buford’s Waco story concerns Special Agent Robert J. Williams.
Williams served in ATF’s New Orleans Field Division, assigned to its Little Rock, Arkansas, office.
According to ATF’s official memorial, Williams joined the agency on October 9, 1988.
He graduated from Florida State University in 1988 and received several letters of appreciation during his federal law enforcement career.
Those recognitions included investigative assistance to the Arkansas State Police and participation in explosives-related training.
Williams was also a certified scuba diver.
He was survived by his wife.
Buford regarded Williams as a close friend and protégé.
In his Heroes Behind the Badge interview, Buford discussed his relationship with Williams and the personal impact of losing him.
Williams was killed during the February 28 confrontation.
For Buford, his death represented far more than the loss of a fellow agent.
It was the loss of a friend whose future ended during an extraordinarily dangerous assignment.
The relationship between Buford and Williams illustrates the bonds that can develop among law enforcement professionals.
Officers may spend years working together, training together, and relying on one another during dangerous situations.
When a colleague is killed, the loss can remain deeply personal for surviving officers.
Buford’s willingness to discuss Williams publicly helps preserve the memory of an agent whose life and service should not be forgotten.
The 51-Day Standoff and April 19 Tragedy
The February 28 gun battle did not end the confrontation at Mount Carmel.
Following the initial operation, the FBI assumed responsibility for the continuing standoff.
Federal negotiators attempted to secure a peaceful resolution while tactical personnel maintained security around the compound.
The standoff continued for 51 days.
On April 19, 1993, the FBI initiated an operation involving the introduction of tear gas into the compound.
A devastating fire subsequently engulfed the buildings.
According to the Department of Justice’s official report, the remains of 75 individuals were recovered from the ruins, including 25 children younger than 15.
Nine people survived the fire.
The events generated extensive public controversy and official investigations.
Questions were raised about tactical planning, intelligence, negotiations, operational decisions, and the circumstances surrounding the final fire.
The tragedy remains an important subject in American law enforcement history.
A responsible examination of Waco must recognize the deaths and injuries suffered by federal agents during the initial operation while also acknowledging the devastating loss of life among the Branch Davidians.
It must also recognize the importance of accountability and the continuing examination of government decisions.
Honoring fallen officers and critically examining law enforcement operations are not mutually exclusive responsibilities.
Both are essential to understanding the historical record.
Lessons in Tactical Leadership and Training
Buford’s experiences provide lessons that extend beyond Waco.
Throughout his career, he worked in environments where preparation, communication, and teamwork were essential.
Specialized tactical operations require officers to anticipate potential dangers while remaining prepared for unexpected developments.
Even extensive training cannot eliminate every risk.
However, preparation can improve coordination, reduce confusion, and help personnel respond effectively when conditions change.
The Waco operation became an important case study in tactical planning and the consequences of operational decisions.
Its aftermath fueled ongoing discussions about federal law enforcement procedures, specialized response capabilities, and interagency coordination.
Buford’s experience illustrates why agencies must examine difficult incidents carefully and incorporate lessons into future training.
Effective leadership requires more than personal courage.
It involves sound judgment, accountability, communication, and a commitment to protecting both personnel and the public.
Those principles remain relevant to law enforcement agencies today.
The Importance of Peer Support
Another important subject addressed in Buford’s Brighter Side of Blue interview is peer support.
Law enforcement officers may experience incidents that remain with them long after their physical injuries have healed.
These experiences can include shootings, serious injuries, violent crime scenes, and the deaths of colleagues.
The emotional consequences may continue for years.
Peer support programs give officers opportunities to speak with trained colleagues who understand the demands of the profession.
They can also help connect officers with qualified mental health professionals when additional assistance is needed.
Buford’s story demonstrates why those resources matter.
Surviving a dangerous encounter does not necessarily mean that its emotional consequences disappear.
An officer may recover physically while continuing to remember colleagues who were injured or killed.
Experienced officers’ willingness to discuss these experiences can encourage younger personnel to recognize the importance of emotional well-being.
It can also help reduce the stigma associated with seeking assistance following traumatic events.
Returning to ATF After Waco
Despite his injuries and the deaths of fellow agents, Buford eventually returned to federal law enforcement.
In his Heroes Behind the Badge interview, he discussed why he chose to continue serving after surviving the Waco operation.
He said his commitment to the agency and the people he worked with remained strong.
Returning to duty following a serious shooting is not a simple matter.
Physical recovery may require surgery, rehabilitation, and continued medical care.
Emotional recovery can involve equally difficult challenges.
Some officers return to operational assignments, while others transition into investigations, training, administration, or different professional roles.
Still others choose retirement.
Each decision depends on individual circumstances.
Buford’s return to federal law enforcement is one example of someone who continued serving despite extraordinary adversity.
His experience also reinforces the importance of supporting injured officers throughout their recovery.
A Lifetime Beyond One Historical Event
Although Waco remains the most widely recognized event in Buford’s career, his life extends far beyond it.
His journey began in Kansas City and continued through military service, specialized training, federal investigations, tactical leadership, and decades of public service.
He experienced serious injuries before Waco and continued working afterward.
The Brighter Side of Blue interview presents those experiences as parts of a larger story rather than defining his entire life by a single confrontation.
The podcast also reveals a more personal side of Buford.
Despite the dangers he has experienced, the episode description notes that he continues to pursue new interests, including plans to go bear hunting with a crossbow.
That detail offers a glimpse of someone whose identity extends beyond military and law enforcement service.
Officers and military veterans have families, friendships, hobbies, ambitions, and experiences that are not always visible to the public.
Their professional responsibilities may be extraordinary, but their personal lives remain an important part of who they are.
Buford’s willingness to discuss difficult memories while keeping a sense of humor provides a fuller picture of the man behind the badge.
Why These Stories Matter Today
More than three decades have passed since the Waco operation.
Many younger officers currently serving in law enforcement were not yet born when the events occurred.
Nevertheless, the lessons remain relevant.
The operation demonstrates the importance of careful planning, accurate intelligence, tactical preparation, communication, and accountability.
It also illustrates the dangers officers can encounter while executing warrants involving armed suspects.
Buford’s personal experiences provide another perspective.
His recollections describe what it means to be wounded, depend on colleagues for survival, and lose people with whom he had developed close professional and personal relationships.
Statistics alone cannot fully capture those experiences.
Official investigations provide important documentation concerning events, decisions, and institutional responsibilities.
Firsthand interviews preserve the memories of individuals who were present.
Both contribute to a fuller understanding of law enforcement history.
For The Brighter Side of Blue, sharing Buford’s story offers an opportunity to recognize a lifetime of service while encouraging meaningful conversations about the responsibilities and challenges associated with policing.
Honoring the Four Fallen ATF Agents
The deaths of Robert J. Williams, Steven D. Willis, Todd W. McKeehan, and Conway C. LeBleu remain central to the history of the February 28, 1993, Waco operation.
These four agents were killed while participating in a federal law enforcement assignment.
Their deaths affected families, friends, colleagues, and the broader law enforcement community.
ATF continues to recognize their service through its historical memorial materials.
For Buford, the memory of those agents remains deeply personal.
His recollections of Williams demonstrate that a line-of-duty death is not simply an entry in an official report.
It represents the loss of a person with relationships, ambitions, and a future.
Remembering those individuals is an important part of preserving law enforcement history.
It also provides an opportunity to recognize the families who continue living with the consequences of those losses.
Watch Bill Buford on The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast
The episode “Bill Buford: Surviving Waco & a Lifetime in Law Enforcement” was published August 18, 2026.
The featured interview begins at approximately 37 minutes and 6 seconds into the episode.
During the conversation, Buford discusses his Kansas City upbringing, military service, federal law enforcement career, tactical responsibilities, injuries, and experiences at Waco.
He also reflects on the loss of colleagues, the importance of training and peer support, and the personal decisions involved in continuing his career after surviving extraordinary danger.
The interview gives viewers the chance to hear a veteran federal law enforcement professional share his experiences in his own words.
For those interested in police history, tactical operations, military service, and firsthand accounts of major historical events, the conversation provides a valuable personal perspective.
The accompanying video is essential to this feature because it lets viewers hear Buford’s recollections directly rather than relying solely on written descriptions.
A Legacy of Service, Survival, and Remembrance
Bill Buford’s life reflects decades of commitment to military and federal law enforcement service.
From his early years in Kansas City to his experiences as a Green Beret and ATF agent, he repeatedly accepted assignments involving significant responsibility and personal risk.
He survived dangerous confrontations, suffered serious injuries, and experienced the loss of colleagues whose memories remain with him.
His story is one of determination, but it also reminds us of the human cost of dangerous professions.
Behind every uniform and badge is a person whose experiences extend beyond official duties.
Those experiences include friendships, family relationships, difficult decisions, moments of fear, and acts of courage that may never become widely known.
By sharing his experiences publicly, Buford helps preserve an important chapter of American law enforcement history.
His recollections also offer lessons about the importance of teamwork, preparation, leadership, accountability, and caring for colleagues who have experienced traumatic events.
The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast provides a platform for those stories.
Buford’s appearance demonstrates why preserving firsthand accounts matters, particularly when they involve events that have shaped law enforcement practices and public understanding.
The tragedy at Waco remains a complicated and controversial part of American history.
But within that larger history are individual stories of service, survival, sacrifice, and loss.
Bill Buford’s story is one of them.
He survived Waco, continued serving, and now shares a lifetime of experiences so the lessons learned and the colleagues lost will not be forgotten.
Editorial Note
This article accompanies the August 18, 2026, episode of The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast featuring retired ATF agent Bill Buford.
Biographical information and descriptions of Buford’s experiences are based on the podcast’s published episode description and his separately published interviews. Personal recollections are attributed to Buford and should be understood as firsthand accounts, not independently established findings about every aspect of the Waco operation.
The article checked historical information about the February 28, 1993, raid and subsequent standoff against official Department of Justice and ATF records.
The Waco operation remains the subject of historical debate and government scrutiny. This article recognizes the service and sacrifice of law enforcement personnel while acknowledging the broader tragedy, civilian deaths, and the importance of examining government decisions.
Sources and Historical References
- The Brighter Side of Blue Podcast — Bill Buford: Surviving Waco & a Lifetime in Law Enforcement. Published August 18, 2026. Original episode listing and interview timestamp.
https://podcasts.apple.com/do/podcast/bill-buford-surviving-waco-a-lifetime-in-law-enforcement/id1715141379?i=1000784118236 - U.S. Department of Justice — Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas: Executive Summary. Official historical account of the February 28 raid and subsequent standoff.
https://www.justice.gov/archives/publications/waco/report-deputy-attorney-general-events-waco-texas-executive-summary - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — Remembering Waco. Official agency remembrance of the fallen agents and the events of February 28, 1993.
https://www.atf.gov/our-history/remembering-waco - ATF — Special Agent Robert J. Williams Memorial. Official biographical information about Williams and his federal law enforcement service.
https://www.atf.gov/our-history/fallen-agents/robert-j-williams - Heroes Behind the Badge — Bill Buford: Surviving the Waco Raid as an ATF Agent, Part 1. Published July 28, 2026.
https://www.heroesbehindthebadge.com/episode/bill-buford-waco-atf-raid-survivor-part-1 - Heroes Behind the Badge — Bill Buford: He Owed It to the Men He Lost at Waco, Part 2. Published July 30, 2026. Includes Buford’s account of his injuries, escape, Ken Chisholm’s assistance, military service, and return to the ATF.
https://heroesbehindthebadge.com/episode/bill-buford-waco-atf-raid-survivor-part-2