Jackson Police Department, Mississippi Department of Public Safety honor fallen officers.
Sacrificing your own life for the lives of others in the line of duty is a courageous act of bravery, honor and humility.
To honor those who have fallen in the line of duty, the Jackson Police Department hosted its annual Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Tuesday morning at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety also held a Tuesday morning MHP Fallen Officers Memorial Service at DPS headquarters in Jackson.
During the JPD ceremony, 18 fallen officers of the JPD were honored with a brief presentation of flowers and a wreath.
Speakers for the JPD ceremony included the Chief of JPD, James E. Davis, Safiya R. Omari of the Mayor's office and Hinds County District Attorney, Jody E. Owens II.
Davis said being a law enforcement officer is a lot of pressure under the weight of the badge.
"When someone gives their life for the life of a stranger is one of the ultimate sacrifices," Davis said. "We, the Jackson Police Department, thank you for allowing your family members to serve the city of Jackson. To the fallen officers, thank you for all you poured into us while in this constant battle to make the city of Jackson a better place."
Davis said he was humbled to be a part of the annual memorial services to honor the lives of all fallen officers.
"This is a testament for a man or woman to lay down their life for the community so that the freedom we exercise may be enjoyed," Davis said. "The men we honor here today displayed an exceptional ballad of honor. Their sacrifices for the community made it possible for us to maintain an atmosphere of peace."
Safiya R. Omari with the City of Jackson also took a moment to thank those who served and the families who trusted law enforcement with their loved ones.
"To the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, on behalf of Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the City of Jackson, we thank you and understand that there are no words that can make up for the loss of loved ones," Omari said. "We thank you for sharing your loved ones with us. Those who serve today get up every day knowing that uniform may make you a target, but serve anyway; we thank you."
In addition, JPD, Hinds County Sheriff's Department and the Jackson Fire Department Honor Guard presented brief presentations of taps for the fallen soldiers.
Owens said people must continue to honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed for the community.
"Without the sacrifices of those before us, we would live in a lawless society," Owens said. "Matthew 5:9 reads, Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. This verse verifies God blesses those who worked for peace and reconciliation among people. After losing the lives of loved ones, things change forever, but I assure you the fallen soldier's lives will not be in vain."
Owens said it is vital we continue to celebrate and acknowledge those who wear the badge.
"It is our duty to keep going, building and representing that which they died for," Owens said.
Below is a list of the fallen officers with the Jackson Police Department.
Walker Guice
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Jan. 14, 1893
Cliff Hines
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Jan. 14, 1893
James Henry Redmond, III
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Feb. 1, 1902
Wilburn Burleson, Jr.
Traffic Division
End of Watch-March 10, 1961
Charles Buckley, Jr.
Patrol Division
End of Watch- March 14, 1965
Williams L. Skinner
Intelligence Division
End of Watch- Aug. 19, 1971
Floyd D. Seaton
Patrol Division
End of Watch-May 23, 1979
William R. Hickman
Patrol Division
End of Watch-April 13, 1981
Bobby J. Biggert
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Feb. 24, 1989
Rickey Joe Simmons
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Feb. 4, 1992
John R. Sandifer
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Sept. 18, 1994
Robert J. Washington, Sr.
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Nov. 14, 1995
Brian R. Kinsey
Patrol Division
End of Watch- Oct. 22, 1997
Thomas D. Catchings, Sr.
Patrol Division
End of Watch-March 17, 2005
Glen V. Agee
Patrol Division
End of Watch-Aug. 6, 2010
Eric T. Smith, Sr.
Major Investigations Division
End of Watch-April 4, 2013
Bruce D. Jacob
Patrol Division
End of Watch-July 20, 2013
Bryan A. Pippin
Special Operations
End of Watch-Sept. 9, 2021
Below is a list of fallen officers with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety
Trooper John Martin Harris
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, May 28, 2021
Master Sgt. Steve Loy Hood
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, May 29, 2009
Trooper Paul Denham
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Monday, Dec. 27, 1999
Trooper Bobby L. "Bubba" Wells, Jr.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Tuesday, June 27, 1995
Trooper Tommie Earl Owens
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, July 28, 1989
Staff Sgt. Ralph R. Newell
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, Oct. 28, 1988
Trooper David Bruce Ladner
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Sunday, April 12, 1987
Cpl. James Kenneth Bounds
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Sunday, Oct. 21, 1984
Trooper Steven K. Gardner
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, March 23, 1984
Trooper George Danny Nash Jr.
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, Feb. 4, 1983
Trooper Billy M. Langham
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Thursday, Dec. 31, 1981
Sgt. Joe Clay
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Monday, May 27, 1974
Sgt. William O. Swindoll
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Saturday, Oct. 5, 1968
Master Sgt. William Kenny
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Thursday, Dec. 21, 1967
Trooper Tommy E. Kendall
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Monday, May 16, 1966
Sgt. Joseph A. Pol
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Saturday, Nov. 27, 1965
Trooper Marcus Lamastus
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Saturday, July 17, 1965
Sgt. Julian Davis
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1963
Trooper Daniel E. Smith
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Saturday, Nov. 7, 1959
Trooper Hurfu L. Duckworth
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1959
Capt. Walter W. Smith
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Thursday, Sept. 22, 1955
Trooper Carl M. Thach
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Friday, Jan. 15, 1954
Trooper Herbert E. Nixon
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Sunday, April 22, 1951
Trooper James H. Tingle
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Thursday, Sept. 7, 1950
Trooper Cyril J. Reichert
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1947
Trooper James Mortimer Barry
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Saturday, Feb. 1, 1947
Capt. Loma Laine Dyess
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1942
Trooper Adrian Cole
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, MS
End of Watch-Sunday, Sept. 8, 1940
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS fallen officers honored for their sacrifice in the line of duty
