Page 31 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2019

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Pass Christian’s Hometown Hero
story by Jeff Clark photos courtesy of John Dedeaux
“I joined the police force in Pass Christian in 1989 as a reserves officer,” he said. “I’m a full-time officer with the department these days. I have five children and two of my kids are in law enforcement — one is a security officer with
the Air Force and one works for
the Mississippi Highway Patrol. I love what I do because I get to help people, and I love to help others.”
for many years, replacing his uncle as the school’s SRO.
Dedeaux said his most difficult time in law enforcement was during Hurricane Katrina and in the days that followed. One of the most daring stories
I also really enjoy spending time with the children with disabilities and special needs. My brother has Down syndrome and I really love to be around those special students.”
of Katrina, and there are many, was then-Pass Christian Police Chief John Dubuisson and some of his officers having to escape the rushing waters that were flooding City Hall and the Pass Christian Library.
"My family is everything to me,” he said. “I have five children. Everything I do, I do for my family.”
a volunteer fireman in Pass Christian, where he coaches
a softball team.
“Chief had sent me
to work a shelter,”
Dedeaux said.
“And after the storm, it was really hard to get back into town. I knew Chief was stationed at the library but when we finally got there,
“I also played on the indoor football team, the Mississippi Fire Dogs for two years,” he said. “I
we couldn’t find them. We finally found them at the old Catholic school. I hope we never have to go through anything like Katrina ever again.”
was one of the only players on the team who didn’t go to college to play college football. It was a lot of fun.”
After Katrina, Dedeaux was assigned to work as a resource officer in Delisle until the schools were rebuilt. He had been a familiar face at Pass Christian High School
But the most important part
of Dedeaux’s life, he said, is his family. He and his wife, Shawanda, recently celebrated 10 years of marriage with a reception at the West Harrison Community Center in Pass Christian. There was food and cocktails and dancing, but mostly there was love.
“I love working in the schools,” he said. “I get to spend a lot of time working with kids and, hopefully, I’m able to reach some and keep them from making bad decisions, encouraging them to do something better for themselves.
Dedeaux has also spent 25 years as
The modern-day Renaissance man also spent a little bit of time playing semi-professional sports.
John Dedeaux and his daughter, London.
Pass Christian High School resource of cer John Dedeaux receives an “Oscar” from some of the students and faculty.