Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Garry Welford was struck and killed by the driver of a vehicle being pursued by deputies along Bexley Road South.
At approximately 2:45 pm deputies from the George County Sheriff's Office were pursuing a pick-up truck that had failed to stop for them. A passenger in the vehicle was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear for sentencing on a narcotics charge.
Sheriff Welford was struck by the vehicle as attempted to deploy spike strips at the intersection of Bexley Road South and Howard Road. He was airlifted to the University of South Alabama Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
The passenger and his 18-year-old girlfriend, who was driving the vehicle, were apprehended the next day and charged in connection with the death of Sheriff Welford. Both were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole on September 10, 2012.
Sheriff Welford was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served as the sheriff of George County for seven years. Before being elected he had served for 30 years with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-6E505426- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Welford gave the George County Sheriff's Office 37 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lucedale community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Garry Marshal Welford served in the Navy (1966â1969) before joining law enforcement.
Sheriff Garry Marshal Welford 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 George County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Garry Marshal Welford's cause is highlighted.
How Garry Marshal Welford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Garry Marshal Welford is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Garry Marshal Welford was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from George County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
