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Incident
Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb was struck and killed by a school bus while directing traffic during school dismissal.
Lieutenant Holcomb was directing traffic near Oxford High School. He was standing at the foot of a hill near the intersection of College and Snow Streets when a school bus driver lost control of the bus and struck him. Officer Holcomb was pinned underneath for about 15 minutes while rescue workers used airbags to lift the bus.
Lieutenant Holcomb was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he died from his injuries.
Lieutenant Holcomb had served on the Oxford Police force for more than twenty years, and he also served as a volunteer firefighter in Piedmont, Alabama.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Holcomb gave the Oxford Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Oxford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Holcomb.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Oxford Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Dexter is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
Dexter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dexter is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2007, 4 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 2007, 94 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2007, 103 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 17th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Dexter was 46. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. Dexter had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Dexter was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Dexter had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dexter was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Dexter had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6% of these deaths in AL; July holds the most, 13.2%. Fridays: 14.8%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Oxford Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Oxford Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Dexter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Oxford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
