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Incident
Sheriff Buck Forehand was shot and killed as he and a deputy attempted to arrest a suspect wanted for attempted murder. The suspect was arrested three days later and taken to the Gadsden County Jail. He was convicted of Sheriff Forehand's murder, sentenced to death, and executed. Sheriff Forehand had served with the Liberty County Sheriff's Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five young children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Forehand gave the Liberty County Sheriff's Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Forehand.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Liberty County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jay is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Jay is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jay is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jay was 44. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Jay had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jay was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jay was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Liberty County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Liberty County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jay among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Liberty County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.