Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, New Mexico
End of Watch: Monday, October 8, 1979
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: L-8
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 8, 1979
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Bedford was shot and killed while investigating several burglaries in the Nogal area of Lincoln County. He encountered two men, one of whom was carrying a rifle, and stopped to question them. During the questioning he had the men put the rifle on the hood of his patrol car.
As he questioned them one of the men pulled a handgun from the other man's pocket and shot Deputy Bedford. After Deputy Beford fell the suspect stood over him and shot him four more times. The two escaped but were both eventually apprehended. They were convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Bedford had only served with the agency for a short time. He was survived by his wife and two children. A sheriff's department substation was named in memory of Deputy Bedford.