Thomas Chesley Bedford, Jr.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office — Carrizozo, NM

Felonious

End of Watch October 8, 1979

Age 30

Badge L-8

The Vigil Panel 122 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 8

Incident

Deputy Bedford was shot and killed while investigating several burglaries in the Nogal area of Lincoln County. He encountered two men, one of whom was carrying a rifle, and stopped to question them. During the questioning he had the men put the rifle on the hood of his patrol car. As he questioned them one of the men pulled a handgun from the other man's pocket and shot Deputy Bedford. After Deputy Beford fell the suspect stood over him and shot him four more times. The two escaped but were both eventually apprehended. They were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Bedford had only served with the agency for a short time. He was survived by his wife and two children. A sheriff's department substation was named in memory of Deputy Bedford.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NM-ABB7DD7C
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 Bedford served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Carrizozo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bedford.

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

Agency

Department Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

Location Carrizozo, NM

Platform Identity lcso.lincoln.nm.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 8, 1979

Age 30

Badge Number L-8

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy Sheriff Thomas Chesley Bedford, 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 NM, 123 of 193 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.7% of this state's fallen. That is 9.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 88.9% of this agency's fallen.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

of 9 officers

88.9% Felonious

NM — Statewide

123

of 193 officers

63.7% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious