VIDEO: Slain Deputy Remembered

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)- It was a somber day for the Booneville community today.

Friends and family gathered to remember the only Prentiss County sheriff deputy ever killed in the line of duty.

They gathered outside the Prentiss County Law Enforcement Complex.
And precisely at 11:00 AM a dispatcher broadcast to all members of the law enforcement community on duty.

“Attention all Sheriff’s office Police department and stations. On this date March 11th 1999 at approximately 11AM Prentiss County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Dale Hisaw was shot and killed in the line of duty as he responded to a 911 disturbance call. We respectfully ask each of you take a moment to remember this fallen officer,” said the dispatcher.

The flag was lowered to half staff and they then proceeded to the location of the newly planted Magnolia tree.

“We’ve done this ever since March of 2000 soon after I took office. And each year the Hisaw family has been very gracious to come and honor us with their presence at this event. And then in May of every year during the week of law enforcement memorial week we do another service in honor of Michael also. Michael is the only deputy sheriff that Prentiss County has ever lost in the line of duty,” said Sheriff Randy Tolar.

“It’s very emotional and it’s very appreciative that the Sheriff’s office remembers my son’s death on this date. This will be the 18th year that he is remembered. We planted a tree every year. And it’s very appreciative to my family and myself,” says Hisaw’s father Jerry Hisaw.

His fellow law enforcement members have gone out their way to remember Hisaw. This wall at the sheriff’s office is filled with momentos remembering the 27 year old deputy who was taken away in the prime of life. Prentiss County Constable Sammy Henderson knew Hisaw very well.

“Me and Michael started about the same time in law enforcement and became good friends. He was just a good example of a Christian law enforcement officer that did his job to the best of his ability trying to treat everybody right like to set a good example for everybody,” says Henderson.

At the intersection of two county roads north of Jumpertown is where deputy Hisaw responded to the call. He encountered the suspect who was reportedly very high on drugs. The suspect fired the fatal shots killing deputy Hisaw and later committed suicide.

“Michael really wasn’t even supposed to be working that day and he was the juvenile officer for the county and was intended on coming out and doing some things with the juveniles maybe and they received this call and Michael responded just to see what he could do to help in the matter,” says Sheriff Tolar.