On the early morning of March 8, 1979, Deputy Sheriff William Lonnie Wadford, Jr., a 40-year-old male, was nearing the end of a long and dedicated career with the Madison County Sheriff's Office. That night, his path would cross with a man named George G. Mansell, leading to a tragic and violent confrontation. The night began with a routine check at Club 16, located just east of Canton, Mississippi, where Deputy Wadford stopped to ensure the establishment was adhering to closing time laws. While he was inside, a white male broke into his parked patrol car and stole his. 357 revolver.
Upon discovering the theft, Deputy Wadford, accompanied by the club's owner, Jackie Mathews, immediately set off in the patrol car to find the suspect. They soon spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect's car and attempted to pull it over. The driver did not stop right away, continuing for more than a mile before finally pulling to the shoulder of the road. As Deputy Wadford got out and approached the vehicle, the suspect fired four shots, striking the deputy in the upper chest and killing him. Mr. Mathews, still in the patrol car, returned fire with a shotgun, shattering the rear window of the suspect's vehicle as it sped away. Mathews then used the police radio to call for help.
The suspect, George G. Mansell, fled eastward. Alerted to the shooting, Mississippi State Highway Patrolman Larry Greer established a roadblock to intercept the fleeing vehicle. When Mansell approached the roadblock, he shot Patrolman Greer twice before escaping once more. Passing motorists, including a doctor, found the wounded patrolman and were able to get him to a hospital; Greer ultimately recovered from his injuries. Following a pursuit by other law enforcement officers, Mansell was eventually apprehended without further incident.
George G. Mansell was charged with the murder of Deputy Wadford and the shooting of Patrolman Greer. However, on June 18, 1980, a jury acquitted Mansell of the murder charge. He was, however, convicted of aggravated assault for the shooting of Patrolman Greer and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Deputy Wadford, a 20-year veteran of the force, was survived by his wife and son.
