Jefferson Davis County and the Town of Prentiss Law Enforcement Officers, first responders and sheriff’s department employees were honored June 20 with a steak meal in memory of Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Pat Barnes. Barnes was killed April 10 in an automobile accident while responding to an officer in distress call from the Prentiss Police Department.

The event was held at Bethany Baptist Church and was sponsored by Steaks 4 Sheepdogs.

Steaks 4 Sheepdogs was founded over five years ago in Bentonville, Arkansas, by Joe Wilson after he saw the Dallas Police Department being ambushed on television. It organizes and provides steak dinners to LEOs and first responders across America.

“We want to come show the love of Christ to the community,” said Mississippi Regional Director Ashley Henson.

“These people that have lost a part of their community. Men and women in uniform are not just that, they are Sunday School teachers, basketball coaches and choir members.

I am from a small town in the Delta and as small as this town is, I knew exactly what that felt like losing Officer Barnes. You lost more than an officer, you lost a football hero at Prentiss High and you lost a friend.”

A table was set with a meal and a candle and flag placed in memory of Barnes.

“We want to say thank you to Bethany Baptist Church for allowing us to use their facility to provide this meal today. Hanson also expressed his appreciation to Ramey’s for their donation of water and charcoal.

“I called Mr. Danny and told him who I was, and he immediately told me what an awesome guy Pat was. When I heard that I knew exactly where I was coming to. Small town America, where the grocery store manager and the law enforcement officers are like family.”

Steaks 4 Sheepdogs serves championship steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and drinks at their meals.

“I didn’t bring shabby cooks,” said Henson. I’ve got world champions here.” The group of volunteers is made up of food competitors and members of the Steak Cook-Off Association.

Their services are provided through donations and cook-off fundraising events. The team in Prentiss was made up of a golfcart salesman, banker, airplane mechanic and entrepreneurs. One of the volunteers came all the way from Kingsport, Tennessee.

“We like to wait a bit after a tragedy before we contact a community. We want to pour love on the community long after the news has stopped reporting and people have gone on with their lives. We want to show that people still love you. They haven’t forgotten.”

If you would like more information or to make a donation, visit www.steaks4sheepdogs.org.

“We wanted to feed Prentiss and Jefferson Davis County not only physically, but hopefully spiritually and show the love of Christ to those that are hurting.”

“We appreciate this so much,” said Jefferson Davis County Sheriff Ron Strickland. “Not only the meal, but to know what we are going through has not been forgotten. That our friend and co-worker Officer Barnes has not been forgotten.”

“A sheepdog takes care of us when we can’t take care of ourselves,” said Henson. “He protects us from the wolves, and from what I have been told, that is exactly what Officer Pat Barnes did.”