Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-8C6CBFB2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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
Patrolman Buford Dedeaux is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MS, 243 of 350 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this state's fallen. That is 69.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Gulfport Police Department, 6 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Buford Dedeaux's cause is highlighted.
How Buford Dedeaux Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Buford Dedeaux is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Buford Dedeaux was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Gulfport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
