Broward County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Sunday, November 12, 2006
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 10622
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 11, 2006
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Deputy Sheriff Brian Tephford was shot and killed while conducting a vehicle stop in the area of Colony Circle.
Deputy Tephford was performing extra duty at the Versailles Gardens condominium, in Tamarac, when he stopped two suspicious vehicles at approximately 11:00 pm. Deputy Tephford called for an additional unit to assist him. After the second unit arrived, one of three men approached Deputy Tephford's patrol car and opened fire, striking both deputies. Deputy Tephford was sitting in his patrol car running the suspects on the computer when he was shot.
Both deputies were taken to the Broward General Medical Center, where Deputy Tephford died from his wounds an hour later. The second deputy sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound.
The gunman and his two accomplices were arrested a short time later. All three were charged with Deputy Tephford's murder and the attempted murder of the other deputy. On July 20, 2016, all three, 19, 22, and 28, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Deputy Tephford had served with the Broward County Sheriff's Office for six years. He is survived by his three children.