Search
Close this search box.

Dexter Wade, Who was Killed by A Police Cruiser and Buried EIGHT Months Ago WITHOUT His Family’s Knowledge, Has Been Laid to Rest | VIDEO

YouTube video

*(CNN) — More than eight months after 37-year-old Dexter Wade was fatally struck by a Mississippi officer in a police cruiser, his family members shared their final goodbyes as he was laid to rest Monday.

The Jackson Police Department said Wade died after being struck by an officer on March 5 and investigators were not able to contact his family. His mother reported him missing on March 14, a little more than a week after the crash, but did not receive word he had been killed – and buried – until August 24, CNN has reported.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Wade was buried in a “pauper’s field.” His body was exhumed earlier this month.

At his service Monday, Wade’s mother, Bettersten Wade, talked about her journey trying to find her son. “I begged Dexter to come home,” she said. “Dexter, you made it home.”

Dexter Wade Mortuary Transport (Rogelio V Solis-AP)
Surrounded by family members and holding hands with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Bettersten Wade, center, watches her son’s body being transferred to a mortuary transport in Raymond, Mississippi, on November 13. (Rogelio V Solis-AP)

Holding the hands of his two daughters, Wade’s mother thanked those who have supported her and urged, “Just keep fighting with me, ‘cause it’s not over yet.”

“We’re just letting Dexter go home and walk around Heaven,” she said. “And now, Dexter, you are home.”

She was joined by Crump and the Rev. Al Sharpton, both of whom stood by her as she spoke just steps from her son’s casket.

The service included images of tender moments from Wade’s life – him smiling as a baby, a childhood picture with a school diploma, hugs with family members, milestone events with his daughters, poses with loved ones next to a Christmas tree.

“Here in Mississippi, they had to exhume Emmett Till to get some justice. And then they had to exhume Medgar Evers here in Mississippi to get some justice. So, I’m not surprised in 2023, we had to exhume Dexter Wade to get some justice,” Crump said during the service.

Dexter Wade / Courtesy Wade Family
Dexter Wade / Courtesy Wade Family

“But I knew to get justice, we had to fight not only in the court of law but also in the court of public opinion,” he added.

His speech was followed by a fiery eulogy delivered by Sharpton, who also homed in on the injustices the state has seen – a theme other speakers also highlighted during the service.

“What happened to Dexter is a disgrace, a national outrage and should be treated as such,” he said, later adding: “How do you explain how a young man ends up buried? The autopsy said that he had state ID in his front pocket, had a driver’s license, yet you couldn’t find his mother? You couldn’t find some loved one?”

Police have said they were “unable to identify” Wade at the time of his death and he was identified days later by the coroner’s office through medication found in his pocket. The city of Jackson has called the killing an “unfortunate accident,” but said an investigation “found no malicious intent by any Jackson police staff.”

At the service, Sharpton called for justice, telling the gathered crowd, “I’ll be here until we see the prosecution of everybody involved in the death of Dexter Wade.”

YouTube video

“His life mattered to his momma, to his daughters and we’re going to make it matter all over this country.”

MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Hell NO! Supreme Court Rejects Derek Chauvin’s Appeal in George Floyd’s Killing | VIDEO

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

Daniel Penny (Stefan Jeremiah-AP via CNN Newsource)
Sha'Carri Richardson
candied yams
Aldis Hodge as 'Cross' - screenshot
Sherri Shepherd and Shaquille O’Neal
Denzel Washington - Gladiator II
Happy male driver in car
George McKenna - file photo
NICKEL BOYS Director RaMell Ross
Donald Trump (Brandon Bell-Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
Robin Ayers (wearing hat) - via Canvas Rebel
Read More
Quincy Jones
Read More
Kamala Harris at CNN Town Hall - Getty
Read More
Kendrick Lamar - Lil Wayne (Getty)
Read More
Donald Trump with bruises on hands - via X
Read More
Gail Bean and Taye Diggs composite
Read More
Lizzo (after weight loss) - via Instagram
Read More
T.D. Jakes
Read More
Jay-Z & Jack Dorsey - screenshot
Read More
Denzel and Diddy - GettyImages
Read More

POPULAR

Daniel Penny (Stefan Jeremiah-AP via CNN Newsource)
Vigilante Subway-killer Daniel Penny Acquitted of Criminally Negligent Homicide (Choking Out Jordan Neeley) | VIDEO
Sha'Carri Richardson
Sha’Carri Richardson Reportedly Boo'd Up with Track Star Christian Coleman
candied yams
Here's a Recipe for Sweet Candied Yams for Your Holiday Meal | Video
Aldis Hodge as 'Cross' - screenshot
40 Million Watch Prime Video's ‘Cross’ Starring Aldis Hodge
Sherri Shepherd and Shaquille O’Neal
Sherri Shepherd and Shaq Playfully Flirt on 'Celebrity Family Feud' | Watch
Denzel Washington - Gladiator II
Denzel Washington, Colman Domingo and Zendaya Among 2025 Golden Globes Nominees
Happy male driver in car
Study Reveals Racial Disparities in Georgia Car Insurance Rates
George McKenna - file photo
A Connection Between Denzel Washington and Dr. George McKenna - EURexclusive | PICs
NICKEL BOYS Director RaMell Ross
RaMell Ross' 'Nickel Boys' is Well Written & Highly Artistic | WATCH
1 2 3 8,439