Cortez Bufford Family’s $1,687,483 Settlement With St. Louis Officer Lucas Roethlisberger Approved by Federal Judge
A federal judge has approved a $1,687,483 wrongful death settlement between Tammy and Antoine Bufford and St. Louis police officer Lucas Roethlisberger. The settlement resolves their claims over the December 12, 2019 death of their 24-year-old son, Cortez Demarko Bufford.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri approved the deal on September 25, 2026. The amount includes attorneys’ fees and expenses, and the parents receive the remaining net proceeds.
Can other St. Louis residents claim money? No. This is an individual civil-rights lawsuit, not a class action. There is no claim form, no deadline and no settlement website.
Quick Facts: Bufford v. City of St. Louis Settlement
| Detail | Information |
| Settlement amount | $1,687,483.00 (inclusive of attorneys’ fees and expenses) |
| Plaintiffs | Tammy Bufford and Antoine Bufford |
| Decedent | Cortez Demarko Bufford, age 24 |
| Officer covered by the settlement | Lucas Roethlisberger |
| Case name | Bufford v. City of St. Louis, Missouri, et al. |
| Case number | 4:22-CV-01319-NCC |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri |
| Judge | Magistrate Judge Noelle C. Collins |
| Incident date | December 12, 2019 |
| Approval date | September 25, 2026 |
| Public claim form or deadline | None |
| Status | Approved; payment and final dismissal still to be completed |
What Happened to Cortez Bufford in the December 2019 St. Louis Police Shooting?
Cortez Bufford was fatally shot by St. Louis police on December 12, 2019. According to the federal court record, he was at a BP gas station at 504 Bates Street with a friend. Officers Lucas Roethlisberger and Martinous Walls were nearby in a police SUV.
The complaint alleges Roethlisberger approached Bufford, chased him into an alley and fired his weapon. The Buffords dispute the police account of whether their son was armed.
These are allegations from the lawsuit. No trial ever made findings of liability against Roethlisberger.
What Did Tammy and Antoine Bufford Allege Against Officer Lucas Roethlisberger?
The Buffords filed their federal lawsuit on December 8, 2022. They named the City of St. Louis, Roethlisberger and other police defendants.
Their claims included:
- Excessive force and other constitutional violations under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments and 42 U.S.C. § 1983
- Wrongful death under Missouri law
- Survival and negligence claims under Missouri law
The court’s March 2024 order describes these claims. Because the case settled, no court ruled on whether they were true.
How Much Will Tammy and Antoine Bufford Receive From the $1,687,483 Settlement?
The court approved a total of $1,687,483.00. The September 25 order says that total includes attorneys’ fees and expenses. The plaintiffs must pay those from the settlement and distribute the net proceeds to Tammy and Antoine Bufford.
The order does not state the exact net amount each parent will receive. Local reporting citing court documents says nearly $1 million goes to the family and the rest to legal fees. Treat that as an estimate until the settlement statement is public.
Can Other People File a Claim in the Cortez Bufford Settlement?
No. Only Tammy and Antoine Bufford are parties to this settlement. There is no administrator, claim website or public compensation fund.
Someone with a separate claim against St. Louis police would need their own legal basis, and their own deadlines would apply. Missouri wrongful-death law also limits who may sue. That is why this settlement cannot extend to other families.
Did Officer Lucas Roethlisberger Admit Liability in the Bufford Settlement?
The September 25 order does not say Roethlisberger admitted liability. A settlement ends the dispute without a trial deciding the allegations.
Did the City of St. Louis Pay the Cortez Bufford Settlement?
The original lawsuit named the City of St. Louis and several officers. The approval order specifically covers the Buffords’ claims against Lucas Roethlisberger.
Don’t describe this as a payment by the City unless a court filing says so.
What Happens Next in the Bufford v. City of St. Louis Case?
Under the September 25 order:
- The Buffords collect the settlement payment.
- Within 14 days of receiving it, they file an acknowledgment of satisfaction with the court.
- Attorneys’ fees and expenses are deducted under the approved settlement statement.
- The net proceeds go to Tammy and Antoine Bufford.
- After the check clears, the plaintiffs file a dismissal with prejudice and a satisfaction of judgment, confirming they’ve met Missouri’s statutory requirements.
Key Dates in the Cortez Bufford Lawsuit
| Event | Date |
| Cortez Bufford fatally shot | December 12, 2019 |
| Federal lawsuit filed | December 8, 2022 |
| Settlement approved | September 25, 2026 |
| Acknowledgment of satisfaction due | Within 14 days of payment |
| Final dismissal | After the check clears and filings are made |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cortez Bufford Wrongful Death Settlement
Is the Cortez Bufford settlement a class action?
No. It is an individual civil-rights and wrongful-death case, so there is no claims process.
Which court approved the Bufford v. City of St. Louis settlement?
Magistrate Judge Noelle C. Collins of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri approved it in Case No. 4:22-CV-01319-NCC.
Is the Bufford settlement amount exactly $1.7 million?
The approved figure is $1,687,483.00. News reports round it to “nearly $1.7 million.”
Can the public object to the Bufford settlement?
Unlike a class action, there is no public objection process. Only the parties, and anyone with a legal interest in the proceeds, would have a role.
Are wrongful death settlements taxable?
Compensation for physical injury or death is generally excluded from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. § 104(a)(2). Tax treatment can vary, so the Buffords should confirm with a tax professional.
Related Wrongful Death Settlements on AllAboutLawyer
- Jaahnavi Kandula Lawsuit Settled For $29 Million—Seattle Pays Family After Police Officer Killed Indian Student At 74 MPH 2026
- What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit? Everything Families Need to Know
Each case depends on its own facts, parties and state law.
Sources and Court Records
- U.S. District Court, E.D. Mo., Case No. 4:22-CV-01319-NCC, Bufford v. City of St. Louis, Missouri, et al., September 25, 2026 Order approving settlement, and the docket on CourtListener: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66623958/bufford-v-city-of-st-louis-missouri/
- March 25, 2024 Memorandum and Order describing the claims.
- June 20, 2023 Memorandum and Order concerning Officer Martinous Walls.
- Local reporting (corroboration only): FOX 2 St. Louis, “Family agrees to $1.7M settlement after 2019 St. Louis police shooting”: https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/family-agrees-to-1-7m-settlement-after-2019-st-louis-police-shooting/
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher covering U.S. lawsuits, settlements and court records, explaining developments in plain English from court filings.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is not legal advice. Rights, deadlines and claims depend on specific facts and applicable law.
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.