A retired Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper was killed on Labor Day after stopping to assist in a two-car accident.
Mike Griffin, 62, of Ripley, was traveling to Jackson when he saw the accident on Highway 6 in Panola County. Prior to Griffin stopping, a 2016 Ford F-150 was traveling west when it collided with a 2002 Lincoln LS.
Griffin pulled over and got out of his car to check on the driver of the Lincoln when the vehicle rolled on top of him. He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP).
While no names have been released at this time, the MHP confirmed that the F-150 was driven by a 21-year-old Southaven resident, and the Lincoln was driven by a 64-year-old Sardis resident.
Officials from across the state, including Gov. Tate Reeves and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, went to social media Monday afternoon to mourn the passing of Griffin.
Mike Griffin was family to Elee and me, and I’m devastated by the news of the tragic accident that took his life this morning. But I’m not in the least bit surprised he was on the side of the road trying to help someone in need – because that was just the kind of person he was.…
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 4, 2023
My heart is heavy with the loss of a dear friend and true public servant. Mike Griffin served our country as a Marine and our state as a MHP State Trooper and a MBI agent before he retired in 2021. After his retirement from MHP, he returned to work as an officer for DPS. RIP pic.twitter.com/pSqv9wxck1
— Sean Tindell (@TindellSean) September 4, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mike Griffin. @MSHwyPatrol pic.twitter.com/tLoJY38Ql1
— MS DPS (@MissDPS) September 4, 2023
Griffin retired from MHP in 2021 after serving as an agent with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. Following retirement, he continued his service as a liaison between law enforcement and other government agencies.
He is survived by his wife, Edna, and daughter, Olivia. The situation is still under investigation by the MHP.
