Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Kea was shot and killed during an hour long gun battle as he and several officers attempted to arrest a mentally disturbed man who had barricaded himself in his home. The suspect, 53, was shot and killed. Officer Kea had served in law enforcement for over 20 years. He had previously served with the Toombs County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, grandson, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-999DB706- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Kea gave the Vidalia Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Vidalia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Kea.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Dessie Kea 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 GA, 549 of 905 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Vidalia Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dessie Kea's cause is highlighted.
How Dessie Kea Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dessie Kea is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dessie Kea was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vidalia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
