Larry Buendorf
Larry Buendorf | |
|---|---|
 Buendorf (in foreground, with sunglasses) protecting Ford on September 5, 1975, the day of the assassination attempt | |
| Born | Larry Merle Buendorf November 18, 1937 Wells, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | March 9, 2025 (aged 87) |
| Alma mater | Minnesota State University, Mankato, B.S. 1959 |
| Occupation(s) | Chief Security Officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Secret Service special agent |
Larry Merle Buendorf (November 18, 1937 – March 9, 2025) was a United States Navy aviator and Secret Service agent. He served as Chief Security Officer of the United States Olympic Committee. Buendorf broke up an assassination attempt on United States President Gerald Ford in 1975.
Early life and navy service
[edit]Buendorf was born in Wells, Minnesota on November 18, 1937, as the son of Ruby and Merle Buendorf. He graduated from Wells High School in Minnesota in 1955. He received a Bachelor of Science[1] degree in Business from Mankato State University in 1959. After service in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator in the Vietnam War, he joined the Secret Service in 1970, where he was employed for 23 years.[2]
Secret Service career
[edit]Buendorf was assigned to the Secret Service's Chicago Field Office (1970–1972), Presidential Protective Division (1972–1977) and Denver Field Office (1977–1982). He was Special Agent in Charge, Omaha Field Office (1982–1983). Later, from 1983–1993, he was Special Agent in Charge of the Protective Division and, once again, assigned to protect President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford.[1]
Assassination attempt on U.S. President Gerald Ford
[edit]On September 5, 1975, President Gerald Ford, who had just given a speech at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, walked across a park where a crowd had gathered.[3] A woman in a red dress, who later was identified as Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, was seen following Ford while he was shaking hands.[3][4] While Fromme pointed the gun at Ford, several people heard a "metallic click" sound.[5] As the red-robed Fromme shouted, "It wouldn't go off", Buendorf grabbed the gun, forced it from Fromme's hand, and brought her to the ground.[6]
For his role in preventing the assassination attempt on President Ford, Buendorf was awarded the U.S. Treasury Meritorious Service Award and the United States Secret Service Valor Award.[1]
Every year after the assassination attempt, Buendorf and Ford maintained telephone contact on the anniversary of the attack. He also visited Ford and skied with him on occasion.[2][7]
U.S. Olympic Committee
[edit]Buendorf later became Chief Security Officer of the United States Olympic Committee in 1993 after retirement from the Secret Service.[8] From the Olympic Committee headquarters in Colorado Springs, his office is able to monitor security images from other Olympic training sites in Lake Placid, New York, and Chula Vista, California, a suburb of San Diego.[8] The grounds of the Olympic Committee are open to the public and have a visitor's center and gift shop. As Chief Security Officer, Buendorf was responsible for security of the U.S. Olympic Committee. However, he was not directly responsible for security at the Olympic Games when they were held in the United States in 1996 and 2002, as such tasks were performed by local, state, and federal government personnel, as well as contracted private security.
His philosophy for the Olympic Committee grounds security was "We don't want to create the environment of armed guards on the fence line." "That's not the kind of image we want for the Olympic movement. But we want it to be known there's a presence."[8]
Buendorf retired from his position in 2018.[9]
Death
[edit]Buendorf died in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on March 9, 2025, at the age of 87.[9]
Other achievements
[edit]Buendorf was inducted into the Minnesota Athletic Hall of Fame.[1]
Acting credits
[edit]Buendorf appeared on the television documentary film Inside the U.S. Secret Service in 2004.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Larry Buendorf" (PDF). Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). usocpressbox.org - ^ a b Alum Larry Buendorf saved President Ford's life in 1975. Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) (2007-01-02). Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
- ^ a b Election Is Crunch Time for U.S. Secret Service. News.nationalgeographic.com (2010-10-28). Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
- ^ Experience on security's front lines. Usatoday.Com (2004-05-15). Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
- ^ Wilson, Wayne (April 7, 1987). "Ford Testimony Tape In Fromme Trial Freed". Sacramento Bee. p. B1. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- ^ Naughton, James M. (September 6, 1975). "Ford Safe As Guard Seizes A Gun Woman Pointed At Him On Coast; Follower Of Manson Is Charged Two Feet Away A Wan President Late Urges Fight On Crime In Sacramento Talk Assassination Attempt Laid To Manson Backer". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- ^ The Free Press, Mankato, MN – Wells native once saved Ford's life. Mankatofreepress.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-15.
- ^ a b c Borzilleri, Meri-Jo (2003-12-21) "Keeping an eye on things. Olympic security means much more today". Archived from the original on May 26, 2006. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). usoc.gazette.com - ^ a b Abrahamson, Alan (10 March 2025). "Larry Buendorf, 1937-2025 -- one of the really good guys". 3 Wire Sports. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
External Links
[edit]- 1937 births
- 2025 deaths
- Law enforcement officials from Chicago
- Law enforcement officials from Colorado
- Law enforcement officials from Nebraska
- Law enforcement officials from Washington, D.C.
- United States Secret Service agents
- Minnesota State University, Mankato alumni
- People from Colorado Springs, Colorado
- People from Wells, Minnesota
- Military personnel from Minnesota