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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bruce Williford was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a former deputy on misdemeanor warrants at approximately 7:45 am. When Deputy Williford and his partner arrived on the scene, his partner was taken hostage by the suspect. A call for help was made, and when backup units arrived, the suspect shot Deputy Williford in the chest, fatally wounding him. One of the responding deputies was also shot and wounded. The suspect was later shot and wounded as he attempted to flee the residence. He was taken into custody and received multiple life sentences. Deputy Williford had served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and son.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Williford gave the Richmond County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Williford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richmond County Sheriff's Department has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Bruce is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 1 officer at Richmond County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1987, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bruce was 28. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Richmond County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 50; the middle age was 46.5. Bruce had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Bruce was 28. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Bruce had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 28. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bruce had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bruce had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Richmond County Sheriff's Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 50%.
February holds 9.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Richmond County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Richmond County Sheriff's Department has 14 officers remembered here, Bruce among them.
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Carlton Melvin Pond
Apr 24, 1957
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Pressley Eugene Humphrey
Jun 7, 1965
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William Allen Elliott
Feb 25, 1968
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Larry Douglas Stevens, Sr. Jan 24, 1979
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John Louis Francisco, Sr. Aug 16, 1982
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Bruce Williford
Feb 2, 1987
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Kenneth R. Burton
Jan 4, 2004
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Eric Sikes
Mar 21, 2007
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James David Paugh
Oct 23, 2011
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Gregory Michael Meagher
Feb 5, 2017
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James Martin Wallace
Nov 2, 2017
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Cecil Dwayne Ridley
Nov 19, 2019
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Charles Edward Norton
Sep 20, 2020
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Gregory Bernard Campbell
Sep 18, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Richmond County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
