Prev
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
neuraspine_01krbxtphj887k4pkpd92a58cg- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Dessie. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Vidalia Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Dessie is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Dessie is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Dessie is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1966, 3 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dessie was 56. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Dessie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dessie was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dessie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dessie was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dessie had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 12%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Vidalia Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Vidalia Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Dessie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Vidalia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
