Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Ray was shot and killed while moonlighting as a security guard. Five men entered the Winn Dixie grocery store to commit a robbery and upon seeing him, approached from behind and shot him in the back of the head. All five suspects were apprehended. The shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1982 his sentence was commuted to life with no possibility of parole for 25 years. He died in prison on September 17, 2020. Of the other four, two were sentenced to life, and the other to 25 years. Deputy Ray had been with the agency for two years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-E134181B- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Ray gave the Escambia County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pensacola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Morley G. "Buddy" Ray 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 Escambia County Sheriff's Office, 10 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Morley G. "Buddy" Ray's cause is highlighted.
How Morley G. "Buddy" Ray Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Morley G. "Buddy" Ray is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Morley G. "Buddy" Ray was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Escambia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
