Flowers were placed at Prentiss City Hall and the Jefferson Davis County Courthouse as part of National Police Week in memory of local law enforcement officers that were killed in the line of duty while serving Jefferson Davis County and the Town of Prentiss.

Prentiss Police Officer Ron Jones was killed on Dec. 26, 2001, by Cory Maye while serving an arrest warrant in the city limits of Prentiss. Tommy Bourne and J.P. Rutland were killed Feb. 21, 1997, while transporting two prisoners to the Rankin County Correctional Facility. Eric Snow was charged with their murder.

Pat Barnes was killed in a car accident in April 2021 while responding to the report of a Prentiss Police Officer needing back-up. Barnes’ name joined the others and was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial last year in Washington, D. C.

“This week is set aside for all to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of these officers, but truly their absence has left a void that is felt each and every day by their families, friends and those who have served alongside them,” said Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas. “We keep those in our thoughts as well.”

May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day as part of National Police Week.