Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, February 1, 1992
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Bomb
Date of Incident: February 1, 1992
Weapon Used: Explosives; Bomb
Suspect Info: Executed in 2014
Trooper James Fulford was killed by a bomb while searching a vehicle.
One suspect made the bomb, placed it inside a microwave, and gift wrapped it. He then paid a second male to deliver the package to his ex-wife, who had prior knowledge of a murder he had been involved with and had intimate knowledge of an active drug ring he was involved with. The male agreed to deliver the package thinking it only contained drugs. Trooper Fulford pulled over the car driven by a male and one of his associates. Both men were arrested during the traffic stop and taken to jail by two Jefferson County deputies. Shortly thereafter, Trooper Fulford was killed when the bomb exploded while searching the car.
An explosive expert later determined that Trooper Fulford was holding the package when it exploded. Trooper Fulford's death prompted a state and federal investigation that broke apart a drug ring and led to the indictment of 28 people.
The bomb maker was sentenced to death and was subsequently executed on February 26th, 2014. The male subject driving the vehicle was sentenced to 40 years. In addition, the brother of the bomb-maker was sentenced to life for first-degree murder.
Trooper Fulford had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
In 2014, the portion of I-10 between the Aucilla and Monticello exits was dedicated the "Trooper James Herbert Fulford Jr. Memorial Highway."