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Incident
Patrolman Buford Dedeaux was shot and killed while questioning a man on a bicycle he had stopped near 25th Avenue and 34th Street at 12:30 am. During the questioning the suspect produced a .22 caliber handgun from a duffel bag and exchanged shots with Patrolman Dedeaux, striking him twice. The suspect, 22, fled after shooting Patrolman Dedeaux, but was apprehended later in the day. The suspect was originally sentenced to death on April 9. 1980. A retrial was ordered for the suspect. On January 13, 1985, he was again convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On June 11, 1985, a third trial was ordered, and he was again sentenced to death. Then a fourth trial was ordered. On September 19, 1998, he was again convicted of murder but sentenced to life without parole. As of December 6, 2022, he was in prison.
Survivors
Patrolman Dedeaux was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Dedeaux served with the Gulfport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gulfport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Dedeaux.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gulfport Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Buford is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Buford is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Buford is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 1 officer at Gulfport Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1979, 4 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Buford was 34. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Gulfport Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 41.5; the middle age was 35.5.
Buford was 34. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41.
Buford was 34. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Buford was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Gulfport Police Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Fridays: 16.7%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Fridays: 14%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Gulfport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Gulfport Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Buford among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Gulfport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
