Floyd Wayne Dergent, a 49-year-old African American man from Port Arthur, Texas, tragically passed away on July 25, 2018. He was affectionately known as the neighborhood "Handy Man" and was well-loved by his community. Dergent was born on July 2, 1969, to Peter Floyd and Faye Dergent, and he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1987. He is survived by his son, Jeremy Wayne Dergent, and his daughter, Nyia Echols.
Dergent's death was the result of a brutal and senseless murder.
He was found fatally shot at the Prince Hall Village Apartments in Port Arthur. The investigation led to the identification of Joshua Henderson, a 33-year-old man, as a person of interest. Henderson was later arrested and charged with Dergent's murder. The case went to trial, and in November 2021, Henderson was sentenced to life in prison for the crime.
The Port Arthur Police Department, along with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, worked diligently to bring Henderson to justice. The jury considered multiple angles of video footage from the apartment complex's security system, which depicted Henderson shooting and kicking Dergent while he lay on the ground. The family of Floyd Dergent expressed their appreciation for the efforts of law enforcement and the justice system in providing closure for their loss.
Floyd Dergent's legacy lives on through the memories of his friends, family, and the community who knew him. His life and tragic death serve as a reminder of the importance of justice and the impact one individual can have on their community.
