Gulfport Police Department, Mississippi
End of Watch: Friday, June 8, 1979
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 74
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 8, 1979
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
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.
Patrolman Dedeaux was survived by his wife and five children.