Jefferson County residents are mourning the loss of an “outstanding deputy” this week.

Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Pat Barnes, 50, was killed Saturday night in an accident on Hwy. 42 East.

“We are devastated and hurting,” Jefferson Davis County Sheriff Ron Strickland said. “He was an outstanding deputy and an asset to our department.

“More than that, he was my friend.”

The accident happened just before 9 p.m. at Hwy. 42 and Ed Parkman Road as Barnes was headed to Prentiss to assist the Prentiss Police Department with an altercation at the Western Motel. Officer Stephen Jones had called for back-up after responding to a domestic dispute at the motel.

Barnes was in the Bassfield area when he received the call for help, and as he was traveling Hwy. 42 he passed a car just before Ed Parkman Road.

Linda Broom of Sumrall was traveling west and saw Barnes’ vehicle approaching in her lane.

Broom was traveling with her daughter and granddaughter after being in Natchez for a wedding. “When we topped the hill, the officer was in our lane,” Broom said.

Barnes’ vehicle clipped the right front side of Broom’s vehicle, which the deputy to lose control and strike a tree at the home of Kathy Davis Sharpley.

First-responders at the scene were visibly shaken and immediately mourning the loss of fellow officer.

“Lord we need your help,” said JDC Undersheriff T. C. Cooley while surrounded by fellow officers at the accident scene. “We can’t do this without you; our hearts are broken, and we need you.”

Barnes had been a deputy with the department since Jan. 5, 2016.

“His sacrifice while in service to the citizens of Jefferson Davis County, no matter the span of time, cannot go unmentioned,” Strickland said. “We will honor him, his family and his memory.”

The sheriff and Barnes grew up together playing football at Prentiss Elementary, junior high and finally Prentiss High School where they graduated just one year apart.

“He played fullback/ linebacker and I played defensive end,” Strickland said. “Pat was the man.”

Other officers also mourned the loss of a friend.  “He was my best friend,” said JDC Deputy Stephanie Barnes (no relation). “I asked God how I was going to make it. He spoke to me and said, blow up the picture on your phone, so I did. When I did, I saw the words ‘In God We Trust’. He said, ‘Trust me, Stephanie.’”

Barnes had also served as a part-time officer for the Prentiss Police Department since 2017.

“The Town of Prentiss mourns the loss of Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Pat Barnes in an on-duty accident last night,” Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas said.

“Pat was everything you could ask for in a law enforcement officer. He was able to handle himself in any situation and combined that with integrity and compassion for others We are hurting not only for the loss of the officer he was, but the person he was.”

The mayor said flags on city property would be lowered to half-staff “in remembrance of his faithful and dedicated service to our county and city.”

The last JDC sheriff’s deputies to be killed in the line of duty were Tommy “Boo Boo” Bourne and J. P. Rutland in 1997.

Over the weekend, Gov. Tate Reeves posted condolences on social media and acknowledging the loss.

“Elee and I are deeply saddened by Deputy Pat Barnes’ passing,” Reeves posted. “We join in prayer for his family,  Sheriff Ron Strickland and the entire Sheriff’s Department, and the many communities affected by Deputy Barnes’ selfless service.

“We will always be proud to support our men and women in blue, and we will always remember Deputy Barnes’ sacrifice made while answering the call to keep our people safe.”

Barnes leaves behind a wife, two daughters and a grandson.

“His sacrifice while in service to the citizens of Jefferson Davis County, no matter the span of time, cannot go unmentioned. We will honor him, his family and his memory.”

“He was my best friend,” said JDC Deputy Stephanie Barnes (no relation).

“I asked God how I was going to make it. He spoke to me and said, blow up the picture on your phone, so I did. When I did, I saw the words ‘In God We Trust’.” ‘He said, Trust me, Stephanie.’”

Barnes had also served as a part-time officer for the Prentiss Police Department since 2017.

“The Town of Prentiss mourns the loss of Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Pat Barnes in an on-duty accident last night,” said Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas. “I have directed flags on city property to be lowered to half staff at sunset today in remembrance of his faithful and dedicated service to our county and city.”

“Pat was everything you could ask for in a law enforcement officer. He was able to handle himself in any situation and combined that with integrity and compassion for others We are hurting not only for the loss of the officer he was, but the person he was.”

This is the first JDC Sheriff’s Deputy to be killed in the line of duty since Tommy “Boo Boo” Bourne and J. P. Rutland were killed in 1997.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves posted condolences on social media over the weekend.

“Elee and I are deeply saddened by Deputy Pat Barnes’ passing,” said Reeves.

“We join in prayer for his family,  Sheriff Ron Strickland and the entire Sheriff’s Department, and the many communities affected by Deputy Barnes’ selfless service.”

“We will always be proud to support our men and women in blue, and we will always remember Deputy Barnes’ sacrifice made while answering the call to keep our people safe.”

Barnes leaves behind a wife, two daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter.

Funeral services for Deputy Barnes will be held April 17 at 11 a.m. at J. E. Johnson Gymnasium in Prentiss (formerly Prentiss High School). Burial will follow at Prentiss First Baptist Church.

Visitation is April 16 at the Jefferson Davis County Courthouse  from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.