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William Lonnie Wadford Jr.
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Wadford was shot and killed by a suspect that had stolen a gun from the Deputy's patrol car earlier that same night. Deputy Wadford had parked his patrol car in front of a club. He entered the club to make sure they were observing the closing hour law. While inside the club a male broke into Deputy Wadford's car and stole a .357 revolver. Deputy Wadford and the club owner left the club to look for the suspect. Later in the night they found him, and stopped his vehicle. As Deputy Wadford approached the suspect’s vehicle he was shot and killed with the stolen gun. The club owner returned fire, but the suspect escaped. Hearing of the shooting a state trooper set up a roadblock, but was shot and critically wounded when the suspect approached. The suspect was apprehended later in the night. On June 18, 1980, the suspect, 34, was acquitted of Deputy Wadford's murder. He was convicted of aggravated assault for shooting the trooper and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Deputy Wadford had served with the agency for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Wadford gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Canton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wadford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William Lonnie Wadford Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1954â1956) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Madison County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 4 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 40. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 40. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.8% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Thursdays: 12.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Madison County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Military Service
William Lonnie Wadford Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1954–1956) before joining law enforcement.
Visit William Lonnie Wadford Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
