OKLAHOMA CITY – Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Murray has been named the Southeast Region Offi cer of the Year by Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The announcement was made last week and Deputy Murray is among four other regional winners, one of whom will be named the Statewide Officer of the Year next month. On Aug. 11, Murray responded to a domestic disturbance about a man in a pickup truck who had chased his fleeing wife and two children near Hendrix.
According to investigators, the pickup, driven by 48-year-old Wesley Buford, had struck his wife’s vehicle, forcing her to crash into a tree off Highway 78. After Murray arrived, he drew his pistol when Buford reached for a gun that was tucked inside his pants. Buford then jumped behind his truck and Murray was shot three times until he was able to get a clear shot of the suspect, who collapsed and then surrendered.
Murray was treated and released at the hospital for injuries to a thigh and hand. Authorities said Buford also was treated and released, and then booked into the Bryan County Jail.
Buford was charged with assault and battery with deadly weapon - likely to produce death, plus three counts of domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Murray, who has been with the sheriff’s office for almost four years, recently received the Medal of Valor from the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association.
All 44 nominees and the four regional winners will be recognized at a reception Dec. 2 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The state Officer of the Year for 2024 will be announced at that time.
Drummond said he launched this initiative in May to highlight the extraordinary work of law enforcement officers across Oklahoma. With 44 nominations submitted to the Office of the Attorney General, judges – comprised of city, county, tribal and state criminal justice professionals – selected regional winners from across the state.
“These four individuals reflect the courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment that is representative of Oklahoma’s law enforcement community,” Drummond said. “I congratulate the regional winners for their extraordinary work and thank them for their steadfast dedication to public safety.”
