Riley Maxwell

Riley W. "Bud" Maxwell

Riley Walter "Bud" Maxwell passed away February 6, 2014 in Layton, Utah. Bud was born February 11, 1921 in a small farmhouse northeast of Buhl, Idaho to Robert Marshall Maxwell, Sr. and Edna Gladys Weaver. He and his two brothers grew up on the farm without electricity and many of the creature comforts that we have today.

Bud graduated from Buhl High School in 1938. Having enlisted in the Idaho National Guard, he was on active duty on December 7, 1941. He honorably served in the Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II on New Guinea and in the Philippines as a combat engineer, for over three years. He was discharged two months before the end of the war.

After returning home, Bud moved to Los Angeles where he joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1949. While on the Police Department, he served in the Patrol Division, Parking and Intersection Control, and the Scientific Investigation Division. He was a Latent Fingerprint expert and was instrumental in developing the Automated Fingerprint Identification System which is still in use today. He retired in 1976 as the Commander of the Scientific Investigation Division having worked on numerous high-profile cases including Robert Kennedy's assassination. He was truly the original "CSI". Bud was also an excellent competitor in Pistol and Trap Shooting and was on the LAPD Police Olympic team where he earned numerous medals, trophies, and awards.

In addition to his tenure at the LAPD, he further served his country for 25 years in the Army reserve in the Criminal Investigation Division as a Chief Warrant Officer. Bud was called into active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and served for one year at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

While living in Los Angeles, Bud enjoyed riding horses at the Pickwick Riding Stables where he met a beautiful brunette, Jean Arlene Winkler. They were married May 21, 1950 in North Hollywood, California. This union produced a son, John who was born in 1953. Bud and Jean lived in La Crescenta, California where they were involved in many square dancing clubs. Bud was a master craftsman and built much of the furniture in their home.

After retiring from the Police Department and Army Reserve, he and Jean moved back to his hometown. Together they built a home on the family farm property. During retirement he spent countless hours volunteering in his community in the VFW and Citizens on Patrol (COP). A lifetime VFW member, he was a past Post Commander, Mr. VFW in 2002 and an Honorary Marine Corps League member. He was responsible for building the crosses that marked the graves of Veterans at the Buhl Cemetery on Memorial Day. He was passionate about respecting the honor of these brave patriots. An accomplished gun-smith in his own right and gentleman farmer, Bud will be greatly missed by many in his community and his family.

Bud is survived by his wife, Jean, son, John (Anne), 6 grandchildren, 2 great-granddaughters and his brother, Jim. He is preceded in death by his parents, an older brother, Bob and a daughter-in-law, Debbie.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, February 13th, 2pm, at the Buhl West End Cemetery. Immediately following the ceremony, there will be an Open House/Celebration of Life at the Clear Lake Country Club, 403 Clear Lake Lane, Buhl, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Farmer Funeral Chapel of Buhl.