Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Wadford was shot and killed by a suspect that had stolen a gun from the Deputy's patrol car earlier that same night. Deputy Wadford had parked his patrol car in front of a club. He entered the club to make sure they were observing the closing hour law. While inside the club a male broke into Deputy Wadford's car and stole a .357 revolver. Deputy Wadford and the club owner left the club to look for the suspect. Later in the night they found him, and stopped his vehicle. As Deputy Wadford approached the suspect’s vehicle he was shot and killed with the stolen gun. The club owner returned fire, but the suspect escaped. Hearing of the shooting a state trooper set up a roadblock, but was shot and critically wounded when the suspect approached. The suspect was apprehended later in the night. On June 18, 1980, the suspect, 34, was acquitted of Deputy Wadford's murder. He was convicted of aggravated assault for shooting the trooper and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Deputy Wadford had served with the agency for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-7A095C34- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Wadford gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Canton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wadford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William Lonnie Wadford, Jr. 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 Madison County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Lonnie Wadford, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William Lonnie Wadford, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 30 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Lonnie Wadford, Jr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Lonnie Wadford, Jr. was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
