Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bruce Williford was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a former deputy on misdemeanor warrants at approximately 7:45 am. When Deputy Williford and his partner arrived on the scene, his partner was taken hostage by the suspect. A call for help was made, and when backup units arrived, the suspect shot Deputy Williford in the chest, fatally wounding him. One of the responding deputies was also shot and wounded. The suspect was later shot and wounded as he attempted to flee the residence. He was taken into custody and received multiple life sentences. Deputy Williford had served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-17A7EEA2- 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 Williford gave the Richmond County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Bruce Williford 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Richmond County Sheriff's Dept., 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bruce Williford's cause is highlighted.
How Bruce Williford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bruce Williford is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bruce Williford was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Richmond County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
