Bay County Constable's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, October 6, 1951
Age: 60
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 6, 1951
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 30 years
Constable Wayne Coram was shot and killed after arresting two brothers in the West Bay area of the county.
He had encountered the two in an area of West Bay known as the "Y" and placed them under arrest for being drunk. He searched one of the men but not the second man. As he drove them to jail, the subject he didn't search, who was a former police officer, drew a concealed weapon and instructed Constable Coram to drive them back to their car.
When they arrived back at the car, Constable Coram assisted in waving down another motorist and asked him to go for help. He then jumped from the car and exchanged shots with the subject. After being struck by one of the rounds, the second brother took Constable Coram's gun and shot him a second time.
Both men were arrested following a 20-mile pursuit. The ex-police officer was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in 1952. Two years later, the Florida Supreme Court threw out the conviction and ordered a new trial. Charges against his brother were dismissed.
Constable Coram was the elected constable for the Beaches and West Bay area of the county. He was survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, 10 grandchildren, and his sister. His son, three grandsons, and two great-grandsons went on to serve in law enforcement.