Holly MatkinJefferson Davis County, MS – Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Office (JDCSO) Deputy Thomas Patrick “Pat” Barnes died in the line of duty on April 10 while responding to assist another department with a disturbance call.
The 49-year-old deputy was responding to the Western Motel in Prentiss to assist the Prentiss Police Department (PPD) with a report of a disturbance when the crash occurred, Jefferson Davis County Sheriff Ron Strickland said in a Facebook post on April 11.
As Deputy Barnes approached the area of Highway 42 and Ed Parkman Road, he lost control of his patrol vehicle, resulting in his cruiser leaving the roadway and crashing into a tree, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
He succumbed to his injuries at the scene, Sheriff Strickland said.
In addition to his service to JDCSO, Deputy Barnes also served as a part-time officer with PPD, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
He had been with the JDCSO for at least four years, Sheriff Strickland told the Associated Press.
“Deputy Barnes’s sacrifice while in service to the citizens of Jefferson Davis County, no matter the span of time cannot go unmentioned,” the sheriff said in the Facebook post. “We will honor him, his family and his memory and never forget what happened to this deputy on April 10, 2021.”
Deputy Barnes leaves behind his wife, two children, and his grandchild, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“SO-10 Deputy Thomas Patrick ‘Pat’ Barnes, We will take it from here Brother,” Sheriff Barnes said in the Facebook post.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves offered his condolences in a statement, according to WLBT.
“Elee and I are deeply saddened by Deputy Pat Barnes’ passing. We join in prayer for his family, Sheriff Strickland, and the entire Sheriff’s Department, and the many communities affected by Deputy Barnes’ selfless service,” Reeves said. “We will always remember his sacrifice in the line of duty!”
A black ribbon on the door and flags at half staff at the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s department after the Saturday night line of duty death of Deputy Pat Barnes. @Darkhorse_Press pic.twitter.com/9hFqFDb9NY
— Therese Apel (@TRex21) April 12, 2021
The Mississippi Highway Patrol extends our condolences to the family of Deputy Pat Barnes. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the employees of the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Office as they too mourn the loss of a friend and member of their department.-Colonel Randy Ginn pic.twitter.com/rObXdBRwjW
— MS Highway Patrol (@MSHwyPatrol) April 11, 2021
ATF New Orleans offers support and prayers to the family, co-workers and friends of Deputy Pat Barnes of the Jefferson Davis County Miss. Sheriff’s Dept., who died in a vehicle accident on April 10, 2021. #EOW #LODD pic.twitter.com/tI3RgzIBGv
— ATF New Orleans (@ATFNewOrleans) April 12, 2021
GLFOP: 🔹 Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Patrick Barnes
Jefferson Davis County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi
EOW: Saturday, April 10, 2021#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/gpU7lA24z0
— SCFOP Lodge #31 (@scfop_31) April 13, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Patrick “Pat” Barnes, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
