Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Moses Dykes was shot and killed in Southport while arresting a man wanted for violating the state oyster laws.
The man had been harvesting oysters while trespassing on leased oyster beds. Constable Moses and a deputy from the Florida Shellfish Commission had arrested the man while he was in his boat and allowed him to go to shore. As the man prepared to get off of his boat he pulled out a shotgun that was hidden under the bench and shot Constable Dykes.
The Shellfish Commission deputy returned fire as the man fled through the wharf, but did not strike him.
Constable Dykes died at approximately 2:00 am the following morning.
The subject who shot him was charged with murder but acquitted at trial by the local fishing population.
Constable Dykes was survived by his wife, several children, father, and brother. His brother served as a justice of the peace for Bay County.
Survivors
Constable Dykes was survived by his wife, several children, father, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-48338D7C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Dykes served with the Bay County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Panama City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Dykes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Moses Dykes is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bay County Constable's Office, 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. Moses Dykes's cause is highlighted.
How Moses Dykes Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Moses Dykes is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Moses Dykes was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bay County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
