Morley G. Buddy Ray, a 39-year-old deputy sheriff, was shot and killed on April 7, 1978, while working as a security guard at a Winn Dixie grocery store in Pensacola, Florida. Five men entered the store during a robbery attempt; when they encountered Deputy Ray he was approached from behind and shot in the back of the head, dying at the scene.

All five suspects were arrested after the killing. The man identified as the shooter was convicted of first-degree murder and originally sentenced to death; his sentence was later commuted in 1982 to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years. The other four accomplices received prison terms, two getting life sentences and two receiving 25-year terms.

Deputy Ray had served with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for two years; his death prompted a full investigation and subsequent prosecutions.