Former Pittsburgh police Chief Earl Buford Jr. has died.

Buford, who led the city force from 1992 to 1995 and was just the second minority to hold the top post, died July 25, according to police spokeswoman Cara Cruz said Monday. Buford was 81.

Born on April 9, 1942, in Bluefield, W.Va., Buford moved with his father to Pittsburgh when he was about eight years old. He grew up in East Liberty.

Buford went to Westinghouse High School, where he excelled at football and earned the nickname “Sticky” because he never missed a pass, according to a family obituary. After graduating in 1960, Buford joined the Army.

Buford married the late Elizabeth Ann Fleming in 1965. The couple has two children, Mark and Kelley, the obituary said. Buford had two other children: Earl Buford III and Tiffany Scott. He has four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who affectionately called Buford “Buddy,” the obituary said.

Buford joined the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police in 1968 and served as a patrolman, detective, sergeant, commander and assistant chief of investigations before becoming chief, Cruz said. He retired after 28 years of service.

“The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is thankful for his faithful service to the City of Pittsburgh and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” Cruz said.

Buford developed a strong relationship with God in recent years, his obituary said. He became a faithful member of The Church of the Good Shepherd, where his brother-in-law, the Rev. Huett Fleming, was the pastor.

“His loving advice, long conversations, wittiness and sense of humor, will be deeply missed by family and friends who love him dearly,” his family said in an obituary. “He has fought a good fight, has finished the course and has kept the faith.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)