Sergeant Joseph Joffrion of the Waveland, Mississippi Police Department became the subject of national attention after a May 2023 sidewalk confrontation with a First Amendment activist outside Waveland City Hall, followed by a 2024 deposition in which he struggled to recall basic aspects of his job. The encounter led to a federal civil rights lawsuit that the City of Waveland settled in June 2025 alongside three related cases against other Mississippi municipalities.
What Happened Outside Waveland City Hall
On May 30, 2023, Jeffrey Gray, a Florida resident, Army veteran, and operator of the “Honor Your Oath Civil Rights Investigations” YouTube channel, stood on a public sidewalk outside Waveland City Hall holding a cardboard sign that read “God Bless our Homeless Veterans.”1WLOX. Activist Claims Rights Violations After Encounters With Police, City Halls in Waveland, Ocean Springs
Waveland Mayor Jay Trapani said city employees reported feeling “scared and uneasy” after Gray entered the Utilities Department to ask about a restroom and then stood outside peering through a window. Trapani said he asked officers to “pass by city hall to handle the situation.”2Sea Coast Echo. Waveland Mayor Comments on God Bless Homeless Veterans Video
Joffrion responded. According to Gray’s account and his recorded footage, Joffrion demanded identification, told Gray he could not protest on the property, and threatened him with arrest for trespassing. Gray said Joffrion told him, “I’m letting you know you’ll go to jail, no questions asked” if he did not comply.1WLOX. Activist Claims Rights Violations After Encounters With Police, City Halls in Waveland, Ocean Springs
Gray refused to identify himself, asserting he was engaged in constitutionally protected activity on a public sidewalk. He was issued a trespass citation and removed from the property but was not formally arrested.3Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit Then Bans Free Speech2Sea Coast Echo. Waveland Mayor Comments on God Bless Homeless Veterans Video The interaction lasted about four minutes. Gray posted the video to his YouTube channel, and it quickly circulated online.
The Deposition That Went Viral
Gray filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Waveland, and Joffrion sat for a deposition in October 2024. Footage posted to Gray’s “Honor Your Oath” channel showed Joffrion struggling to recall what Gray’s attorneys characterized as fundamental aspects of a police officer’s duties. The clip drew hundreds of thousands of views.3Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit Then Bans Free Speech
Online reaction was sharply negative. Commenters described Joffrion’s conduct as “arrogant” and called it “a textbook violation of the First Amendment.” Some demanded his termination or placement on a Brady list, a designation that flags an officer’s credibility problems for prosecutors. A retired chief of police quoted in coverage of the deposition said Joffrion “would be terminated immediately” if that chief were reviewing the footage.3Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit Then Bans Free Speech
Waveland did not publicly respond to the deposition footage. According to reports, Joffrion remained employed by the Waveland Police Department and was reportedly promoted to Field Training Officer, a role that involves mentoring new officers.3Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit Then Bans Free Speech
The Lawsuit and 2025 Settlement
Gray’s May 2023 Mississippi trip generated confrontations in more than one city. He ultimately filed separate federal First Amendment lawsuits against four Mississippi municipalities: Waveland, Ocean Springs, Hattiesburg, and the City of Forest.
All four cases reached settlement on June 9, 2025, following conferences before Magistrate Judge Bradley W. Rath. The Ocean Springs and Hattiesburg cases were dismissed with prejudice; the Forest case was initially dismissed without prejudice pending a final agreed judgment.4CourtListener. Gray v. City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi5PACER Monitor. Gray v. City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi et al6PACER Monitor. Gray v. City of Forest, Mississippi et al
As reported by Gulf Coast Wire, the settlement required the cities to rescind the trespass citations issued to Gray and to implement First Amendment training for their law enforcement personnel. The agreement also included financial compensation, though the specific dollar amounts were not publicly disclosed.3Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit Then Bans Free Speech
Waveland’s New Speech Ordinance
After settling, Waveland adopted a new policy titled “Policy Governing Conduct on City Property.” According to Gulf Coast Wire, the ordinance prohibits distribution of pamphlets, handbills, or fliers on city-controlled property unless the activity is part of a “government-authorized” function. It also bans soliciting donations on city property and states that violators “shall be subject to prosecution.”3Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit Then Bans Free Speech Critics noted that the city had just settled a lawsuit over suppression of free speech before enacting rules that appeared to restrict similar activity on city property.