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Incident
Sergeant Gale Stauffer was shot and killed as he and two other officers responded to a bank robbery on South Gloster Street, near the intersection with Main Street, at approximately 3:00 pm.
As the officers approached the suspect, who was stopped in traffic at a railroad crossing, the man opened fire on them at close range. Sergeant Stauffer was shot and killed and a second officer was critically wounded before the man fled in a vehicle.
A citizen used one of the officers' radios to alert dispatchers that the officers had been shot. The wounded officer was transported to a local hospital in guarded condition.
Investigation linked the suspect to a bank robbery earlier that morning in Atlanta, Georgia. On Saturday, December 28th, the suspect was shot and killed after robbing another bank in Phoenix, Arizona, and opening fire on a responding officer. As the suspect shot at the officer a responding detective approached from the side and fatally shot him.
Sergeant Stauffer was a combat veteran of the Louisiana Army National Guard. He had served with the Tupelo Police Department for eight years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. He had previously served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Sergeant Stauffer is survived by his wife and two young children.
Survivors
Sergeant Stauffer is survived by his wife and two young children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Kevin is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Stauffer gave the Tupelo Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tupelo community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Kevin Gale Stauffer Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1998) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kevin is the only officer of Tupelo Police Department remembered here.
Kevin is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Kevin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Kevin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kevin was 38. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Kevin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Kevin was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Kevin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kevin was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kevin had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MS, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Tupelo Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Kevin Gale Stauffer Jr. served in the U.S. Army (1998) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Kevin Gale Stauffer Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
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What is kept
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