Buford R. Bunch
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Buford R. Bunch

Jasper County Sheriff's Office — Bay Springs, MS
Felonious
End of Watch April 16, 1966
Age 55
The Vigil Panel 101 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Buford Bunch was shot and killed as he and another deputy were searching for bootleg whiskey in a house near Bay Springs. As soon as they found some whiskey, the homeowner who was hiding behind a door, opened fire with a rifle killing Deputy Bunch. The suspect surrendered to authorities a short time later.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-605275CF
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 Bunch served with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bay Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bunch.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Bay Springs, MS
Platform Identity jcso.jasper.ms.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 16, 1966
Age 55
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber
Offender Apprehended

Deputy Sheriff Buford R. Bunch 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Jasper County Sheriff'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.

Jasper County Sheriff's Office
2
of 2 officers
100% Felonious
MS — Statewide
242
of 349 officers
69.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Buford R. Bunch's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Buford R. Bunch Compares

Age at End of Watch
55
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Apprehended

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Buford R. Bunch is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Buford R. Bunch was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Jasper County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.