End of Watch: The murder of Escambia County Deputy Morley G. “Buddy” Ray, April 7, 1978

By Mike Simmons

Deputy Ray was shot and killed while moonlighting as a security guard. Five men entered the Winn Dixie grocery store to commit a robbery and upon seeing him, approached from behind and shot him in the back of the head.

All five suspects were apprehended. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. In 1982 his sentence was commuted to life with no possibility of parole for 25 years. He died in prison on September 17, 2020. Two others were sentenced to life and two to 25 years.

Deputy Ray had been with the agency for two years.

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