Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Wayne Coram was shot and killed after arresting two brothers in the West Bay area of the county. He had encountered the two in an area of West Bay known as the "Y" and placed them under arrest for being drunk. He searched one of the men but not the second man. As he drove them to jail, the subject he didn't search, who was a former police officer, drew a concealed weapon and instructed Constable Coram to drive them back to their car. When they arrived back at the car, Constable Coram assisted in waving down another motorist and asked him to go for help. He then jumped from the car and exchanged shots with the subject. After being struck by one of the rounds, the second brother took Constable Coram's gun and shot him a second time. Both men were arrested following a 20-mile pursuit. The ex-police officer was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in 1952. Two years later, the Florida Supreme Court threw out the conviction and ordered a new trial. Charges against his brother were dismissed. Constable Coram was the elected constable for the Beaches and West Bay area of the county. He was survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, 10 grandchildren, and his sister. His son, three grandsons, and two great-grandsons went on to serve in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, 10 grandchildren, and his sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-11E84918- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Coram gave the Bay County Constable's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Panama City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Coram.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Wayne Coram is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bay County Constable's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wayne Coram's cause is highlighted.
How Wayne Coram Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wayne Coram is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wayne Coram was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bay County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
