BEAUMONT, MS - Authorities with the George County Sheriff's Department (GCSD) confirmed that one of their deputies was fatally shot during a traffic stop.
According to ABC News, George County Deputy Jeremy Malone was killed after stopping a vehicle around 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th, on U.S. Route 98 in Rocky Creek. He was fatally shot by a suspect who was killed by police following a car chase.
On Friday, January 5th, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety identified 43-year-old Rickey Powell as the suspect in the deputy's killing. Powell has a multi-state criminal history dating back three decades.
According to George County Sheriff Michael Mixon, Powell led authorities on a chase out of the county and he was killed by police as the pursuit ended.
The police chase went through Greene County and then into Perry county before Powell was fatally shot on U.S. 98 near Beaumont. Initial reports stated that Malone stopped Powell at the Dollar General on Highway 98 in Lucedale, which is when the suspect shot and killed the deputy.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will be overseeing the investigation into the shootings. On social media, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves wrote, "Mississippi will always remember Deputy Malone. Our state remains deeply thankful for all our law enforcement officers who bravely place their lives on the line every day in defense of our communities."
Terry Rogers, a warden at a jail in George County, has known Malone for over 15 years. Rogers said, "He loved law enforcement and he loved his wife and his girls. Our little county is devastated with the loss of Jeremy Malone. He will be missed, for sure."
On Friday, January 5th, during the morning hours a procession was held for Malone. Officers escorted his body from the George County Courthouse to the Mississippi Forensics Lab in Biloxi. On December 31, 2023, a Facebook profile to appears to belong to Malone shows his recent post referencing a Bible verse. The post read, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
The post appeared to be about the recent loss of Mary "Katie" Pipkins, who had been a volunteer firefighter for a department in George County. Pipkins, who was also a medical technician for a Mississippi emergency rescue service, died on December 30, 2023, in Mobile, Alabama, after she was hit by a motorist at the scene of an incident.
In a statement, Operation Manager Rusty Hembree wrote, "We as a company are heartbroken over the loss of such a beautiful soul. Miss Pipkins was a true hero in every way. Miss Pipkins set a standard in EMS for others to follow. Her love and compassion knew no bounds. She was an inspiration to her fellow coworkers and everyone that knew her. She cared deeply for each person she encountered while serving her community."
According to authorities, the 35-year-old man, identified as Michael Thomas, who hit Pipkins has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, manslaughter, and assault. This was not the first time Thomas has been charged with driving under the influence in Mobile County. Jail records show that he was booked into jail for driving under the influence at least four other time since 2010.
According to ABC News, George County Deputy Jeremy Malone was killed after stopping a vehicle around 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th, on U.S. Route 98 in Rocky Creek. He was fatally shot by a suspect who was killed by police following a car chase.
On Friday, January 5th, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety identified 43-year-old Rickey Powell as the suspect in the deputy's killing. Powell has a multi-state criminal history dating back three decades.
According to George County Sheriff Michael Mixon, Powell led authorities on a chase out of the county and he was killed by police as the pursuit ended.
The police chase went through Greene County and then into Perry county before Powell was fatally shot on U.S. 98 near Beaumont. Initial reports stated that Malone stopped Powell at the Dollar General on Highway 98 in Lucedale, which is when the suspect shot and killed the deputy.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will be overseeing the investigation into the shootings. On social media, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves wrote, "Mississippi will always remember Deputy Malone. Our state remains deeply thankful for all our law enforcement officers who bravely place their lives on the line every day in defense of our communities."
Terry Rogers, a warden at a jail in George County, has known Malone for over 15 years. Rogers said, "He loved law enforcement and he loved his wife and his girls. Our little county is devastated with the loss of Jeremy Malone. He will be missed, for sure."
On Friday, January 5th, during the morning hours a procession was held for Malone. Officers escorted his body from the George County Courthouse to the Mississippi Forensics Lab in Biloxi. On December 31, 2023, a Facebook profile to appears to belong to Malone shows his recent post referencing a Bible verse. The post read, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
The post appeared to be about the recent loss of Mary "Katie" Pipkins, who had been a volunteer firefighter for a department in George County. Pipkins, who was also a medical technician for a Mississippi emergency rescue service, died on December 30, 2023, in Mobile, Alabama, after she was hit by a motorist at the scene of an incident.
In a statement, Operation Manager Rusty Hembree wrote, "We as a company are heartbroken over the loss of such a beautiful soul. Miss Pipkins was a true hero in every way. Miss Pipkins set a standard in EMS for others to follow. Her love and compassion knew no bounds. She was an inspiration to her fellow coworkers and everyone that knew her. She cared deeply for each person she encountered while serving her community."
According to authorities, the 35-year-old man, identified as Michael Thomas, who hit Pipkins has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, manslaughter, and assault. This was not the first time Thomas has been charged with driving under the influence in Mobile County. Jail records show that he was booked into jail for driving under the influence at least four other time since 2010.
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