Daniel Wisniewski, 34, has been charged with murder after the death of former police officer Clive Porter on Monday.
Mr Porter, aged 63, was found with serious injuries on the Aylesbury Canal path near Broughton and later died at the scene.
Wisniewski, of no fixed abode, has been charged in connection with the incident and will appear at High Wycombe Magistrates court on Monday 3rd May.