"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
The Mississippi Department of Corrections pauses for a moment in May to honor and remember correctional officers who gave their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and service. The permanent roster currently stands at nine brave men and women who unselfishly performed their service to the people of Mississippi at the great personal cost of their lives.
The Fallen Officer Memorial Service is held annually at the Youthful Offender Visitation Center on the grounds of the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility in Pearl when MDOC observes National Correctional Officer Appreciation Week. Following the posting of colors by our Honor Guard, the national anthem is performed and an invocation given. The Commissioner or a designee gives remarks and introduces the guest keynote speaker.
Past speakers include Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Sean Tindell (2025), U.S. District Court Judge James E. Graves (2024), Attorney General Lynn Fitch (2023), Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann (2022), MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain (2021), 2020 skipped due to COVID-19; Retired MDOC Director Dwight Presley (2019), and Former MDOC Deputy Commissioner Lora Cole (2018).
Focus is then directed upon the announcement of names of the line of duty officers called out by a deputy commissioner or senior executive staff member while an Honor Guard member renders a salute and places a yellow rose on a chair representing the honored officers. If a member of an officer's family is present, they receive the flower. Additionally, the names of persons who died since the previous ceremony while on active employment are called out.
An executive staff member reads a description of the Memorial Table, a 21-gun salute is rendered by the Honor Guard, and a bagpipe player performs "Taps" and/or "Amazing Grace." The colors are retired and the assembly is dismissed.
Representatives from MDOC also attend fallen officer memorial services for the Department of Public Safety and a candlelight vigil for officers statewide within about one week of MDOC's program.
Killed in the Line of Duty:
Iris Janet Smith, sergeant, EOW May 25 ,2015
Sidney Harrison, correctional officer, EOW May 18, 1995
Argentra Cotton, correctional officer, EOW July 18, 1989
James Amos Meeks, sergeant, EOW September 12, 1972
Ammie Bogue Kendall, sergeant, EOW March 13, 1963
Chester J. Tullos, sergeant, EOW May 18, 1933
John D. Duvall, sergeant, EOW December 27, 1928
John O. Lynch, guard, EOW September 11, 1919
J.G. Smith, guard, EOW August 4, 1905
General Employment (2024-2025):
Donald Lavaan Thompson, correctional officer, Forrest County CWC
William Yates, Maintenance Team, Central Mississippi Correctional Facility
Alexis Johnson, corporal, Delta Correctional Facility
Glenn Unuigboje, sergeant, Madison County CWC
Memorial Table
This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of corrections are missing from our ranks. They are unable to be with us this morning and so we remember them.
This Table, it is small and set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one officer. Remember
The Table Cloth is White, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to the call of duty. Remember
The Single Rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and friends of our officers. Remember
The Yellow Ribbon represents loyalty in waiting for those who are serving. Remember
The Place Setting, alone with no friends or family to dine with. Remember
A Slice of Lemon reminds us of their bitter fate. Remember
Salt Sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families. Remember
The Glass is inverted for the honorees cannot toast with us this day. Remember
The Chair is Empty for they are not here. Remember
The Candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to light the way home from their duty location. Remember
The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from us. Remember
The Sword, for the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. Remember
