Holly MatkinNew Orleans, LA – Hancock County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Lieutenant Michael “Mike” Boutte died in the line of duty on Monday after being shot while responding to a report of a suicidal person.
The incident occurred just off of Caesar Necaise Road in Necaise, Mississippi, on Monday afternoon, the Sun Herald reported.
The initial call came in as a suicide attempt.
Lt. Boutte, the first deputy to arrive at the scene, immediately came under fire as he was exiting his patrol vehicle, Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam said in a press release, according to the Sun Herald.
He was hit by at least one of the gunman’s bullets, Sheriff Adam said.
A second HCSO deputy arrived at the scene shortly thereafter and also came under fire, the Sun Herald reported.
The second deputy returned fire, wounding the suspect, Sheriff Adam said.
Lt. Boutte was airlifted to a New Orleans hospital, as was the gunman, the Sun Herald reported.
The shooter’s condition has not been released.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the ongoing investigation into the attack, WLBT reported.
Lt. Boutte succumbed to his wounds at the hospital, Sheriff Adams confirmed on Monday evening, according to the Sun Herald.
“The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office suffered a huge loss today,” the sheriff said. “Mike was an incredible deputy and more so a fine person.”
The beloved lieutenant was always smiling and exuded positivity, he said.
“He was a mentor to our younger deputies and I know he will be greatly missed by his peers,” Sheriff Adam added. “I can’t begin to describe the heart break we are all experiencing right now. My thoughts, prayers and heart go out to his family and loved ones.”
Lt. Boutte, a U.S. Air Force veteran, served in Operation Desert Storm before attending the U.S. Marine Corps Police Academy, the Sun Herald reported.
He later served in the reserves in New Orleans.
Lt. Boutte also previously worked for the Picayune Police Department and the Pearl River County School District, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department said in a Facebook post.
During his eight years of service with the HCSO, Lt. Boutte was awarded the Life Saving Medal for saving the life of a child, and was credited for establishing the Silver Alert Database in Diamondhead, according to his department.
He also helped to coordinate National Crime Night Out, the Sun Herald reported.
#UPDATE Lt. Michael Boutte’s body will be escorted from a New Orleans hospital to the Mississippi state line by LA troopers. Deputies will then escort him back to Hancock County.
Boutte was shot and killed yesterday while responding to a call in the Necaise area.@WLOX pic.twitter.com/oaQVtGM8Rb
— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) February 2, 2021
We just lost a brave man in the line of duty—Lieutenant Michael Boutte of the Hancock Sheriff’s Dept. His fearless service demonstrates his courage and the outpouring of love demonstrates just how great this loss is. He is a fallen hero. Please pray for the many who loved him. pic.twitter.com/ED48Axvgek
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 2, 2021
#BREAKING A Hancock Sheriff’s Deputy is being airlifted to UMMC in New Orleans after being shot and critically injured near Kiln.
The suspect was also shot and is being airlifted too.@WLOX pic.twitter.com/bNmviOitik
— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) February 1, 2021
Saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Lt. Mike Boutte of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Lt. Boutte previously served with the Picayune Police Department.
Please join me in praying for our local law enforcement community and Lt. Boutte’s family as they mourn his loss. pic.twitter.com/UbvVnkHlnv
— Rep. Jansen Owen (@JansenOwen) February 2, 2021
Lt Michael Boutte was shot and killed. Please keep his family, friends and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers.@BlueLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/NrD4VufhZx
— BrotherhoodFWTX (@Brotherhoodfwt2) February 2, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael “Mike” Boutte, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Lieutenant Michael Boutte, your life mattered.
