JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks joined other law enforcement agencies across the state Thursday to honor its officers killed in the line of duty.
Governor Phil Bryant said conservation officers almost always respond to calls where people have guns. “That’s an added danger in this particular area of law enforcement, it’s knowing many of the individuals you confront are armed with high powered rifles. So it’s a very dangerous business for them.”
The MDWFP has lost 12 officers in the line of duty since the agency was established. Master Sgt. John Collum was the most recent. He was killed Friday, May 9 while investigating a prowler call in Itawamba County. His funeral service was Wednesday, just a day before this year’s memorial event.
“Danger is a part of your job,” said state Senator Giles Ward, during Thursday’s ceremony. “The reality of this awesome responsible becomes clear as we gaze upon this marker and see the name of another fallen comrade added just this week. Its fresh on our minds since most of us here today stood in a rural wooded Itawamba County cemetery yesterday afternoon to honor Master Sgt. John Collum.”
Thursday was National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
