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Incident
Police Chief Charles Dickey was shot and killed shortly after 4:30 am while assisting other officers search a building for a burglary suspect at 26th Avenue and 13th Street in Gulfport. Two officers walking their beat discovered that the business had a broken window and found an axe lying nearby. The officers called Chief Dickey, who then responded to the scene. After breaking out more of the window, Chief Dickey entered the store. Just as one of the officers advised him to get out his gun, he was struck by a shotgun blast in the face, neck, and chest and killed instantly. The other officers covered the exits from the building and told a deliveryman to get assistance. A county sheriff's deputy and a former constable volunteered to go inside, and they were able to arrest the suspect. The man was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death six hours and forty minutes after the murder. He was hanged on February 21, 1913. Chief Dickey had served with the Gulfport Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Dickey gave the Gulfport Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gulfport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Dickey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gulfport Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1913, 1 officer at Gulfport Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1913, 5 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1913, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1913, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 37. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Gulfport Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 41.5; the middle age was 35.5. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Charles was 37. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Charles was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 16.7% of these deaths at Gulfport Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.5%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Gulfport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Gulfport Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Gulfport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
