Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Patrick Barnes’ name will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial as the nation pays tribute to fallen officers this week in Washington, D. C. and around the nation. The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on May 13, during a candlelight vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8 p.m. EDT. The 619 names being added to the wall include those of officers whose End of Watch was before 2021 but were not previously inscribed.

National Police Week takes place every year in May. In 1962, President John F Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week as National Police Week. National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Barnes was killed April 10, 2021, in an automobile accident on Hwy 42 East while responding to a call for backup by a Prentiss Police Officer. “He was an outstanding deputy and an asset to our department and more than that, he was my friend,” said Jefferson Davis County Sheriff Ron Strickland.

“I can’t think of a better way for him to be remembered and honored.”

As National Police Week concludes, a candlelight vigil will be held in Prentiss on May 18 remembering all officers killed in the community while in the line of duty. It has been 20 years since Prentiss Police Officer Ron Jones was killed while serving a search warrant in Prentiss the day after Christmas.

Also being remembered will be JDC Sheriff’s Deputies Tommy “Boo Boo” Bourne and J. P. Rutland who were killed 25 years ago while transporting prisoners to Rankin county.

Our community is one of many that has been affected
by the loss of people we hold dear in the law enforcement community,” said Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas. “We will never forget their sacrifice and pray constantly for those dedicated to upholding the law in Prentiss and Jefferson Davis County.”

The service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn at Prentiss City Hall. In case of inclement weather, it will be held inside at the Ronald W. Jones Memorial Complex.