Buford Dedeaux

Gulfport Police Department — Gulfport, MS

Felonious

End of Watch June 8, 1979

Age 34

Badge 74

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

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: 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.
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

Department Gulfport Police Department

Location Gulfport, MS

Platform Identity gpd.harrison.ms.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 8, 1979

Age 34

Badge Number 74

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber

Offender Sentenced to life

Patrolman Buford Dedeaux 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 MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Gulfport Police Department

of 8 officers

75% Felonious

MS — Statewide

242

of 349 officers

69.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious