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Incident
Correctional Officer Dudley Champ died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility at 5030 US-69 in Beaumont.
Officer Champ was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for one year.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Correctional Officer Dudley James Champ died on August 10, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 58.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 2 at Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dudley. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 3 gates. Dudley is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Correctional Officer Champ gave the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Beaumont community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Champ.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dudley James Champ served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Dudley is one of 204 officers lost to illness in TX, 8.4% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Dudley is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dudley is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 63 officers in TX were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 99.
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Dudley was 58. Of the 201 lost to illness in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 59; the middle age was 53. Dudley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Dudley was 58. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Dudley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Dudley was 58. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Dudley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
August holds 14.7% of these deaths in TX; September holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 14.7%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.4% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Dudley among them.
Where
Military Service
Dudley James Champ served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dudley James Champ’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
