Killed in the line of duty while serving on the Vidalia Police Force. Police Officer Dessie Kea Dies; Buried Saturday Vidalia Police department officer Mr. Dessie Kea, 56, died in Meadows Memorial Hospital here last Thursday morning. A native of Emanuel County, the son of the late John J. and Isabelle Edenfield Kea, he had resided here for 34 years. He had been a law officer for twenty or more years, and was a member of the Vidalia Police Department. He was formerly a deputy sheriff of Toombs County, and served a number of years as county policeman. He was a deacon of the Vidalia Primitive Baptist Church; a member of the Vidalia Masonic Lodge; the Moose Lodge; the Quint Shriners Club; and the Peace Officers Association of Georgia. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Vidalia Primitive Baptist Church with Elder R.C. Dominy, officiating. The Rev. Don Robert, pastor of the Vidalia Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Rev. Milton C. Gardner, Jr., pastor of the Vidalia First Baptist Church, assisted with the last rites. Interment was in Pinecrest Cemetery where the services were concluded. Murchison Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers were members of the Vidalia Police Department. Honorary pallbearers were: J.C. Givens, J.L. Riner, Melvin Mixon, Lonnie C. Vaughn, Carson Vaughn, Dr. Coleman Whipple, Dr. O.S. Gross, Ray Rountree, Lonnie McBride, M.E. Neder,George Neder, and Dr. Lamar A. Brown. Surviving were his wife, Mrs. Sarah Jane Hall Kea, Vidalia; one daughter, Mrs. Fred Plushanski, Clinton, N.J.; one son, Joseph Clarey Kea of Chesapeake, Va.; three brothers, W. Russell Kea of Jacksonville, Fla., Lewis Kea of Vidalia and Andrew Kea of Savannah; two sisters, Mrs. Ches Hall of Lizelle, Ga., and Mrs. J. Ruel Grimes of Valdosta; one gradnson, and several nieces and nephews.

The Vidalia Advance, Thursday, March 24, 1966.

Georgia Death Certificate: 013391