Holly MatkinMadison County, MS – Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) Trooper John Harris died in the line of duty after being struck by a tractor-trailer while conducting a traffic stop on Friday.
The 44-year-old trooper out on a traffic stop on Highway 16 when the fatal collision occurred, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) said in a press release later that day.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
“The Mississippi Highway Patrol mourns the loss of Trooper John Harris,” MHP Colonel Randy Ginn said in the press release. “Trooper Harris was a passionate, dedicated public servant and an important member of the MHP family. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time.”
CPD Commissioner Sean Tindell called the veteran trooper’s death a “tragic loss.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow Troopers,” Tindell said.
Trooper Harris wanted to be a law enforcement officer ever since he was a child, according to his obituary.
He hired on in Webb, Mississippi in 1997 and later moved on to Friars Point, where he was awarded his first Purple Heart.
Trooper Harris was awarded a second Purple Heart while serving with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and later spent time working for the Richland Police Department.
He “achieved the dream of his life” in 2018 when he graduated with the 62nd Cadet Class and became an MHP trooper, according to his obituary.
The highly-decorated trooper leaves behind his wife, Kate, and his young children, Parker and Cooper.
He is also survived by his parents, brothers, in-laws, three nephews, and his niece.
A fundraising campaign established to help his family in the wake of their loss has raised over $24,000 so far.
Trooper Harris will be laid to rest on Tuesday.
Mississippi Highway Patrolman Killed in the Line of Duty pic.twitter.com/tmTBj9DqVp
— MS DPS (@MissDPS) May 29, 2021
Honoring Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Harris, died May 28, 2021, after he was struck by a tractor-trailer while conducting a traffic stop. Honor him so he is not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/AYIAcg3VKB
— Steve Wightman (@stevewightman1) May 31, 2021
The men and women of the District Attorney’s Office and our families offer our deepest condolences to the family of Trooper John Harris of the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Trooper Harris lost his life in the line of duty yesterday. He was loved, and will be missed, by all. pic.twitter.com/oRzNShBG2B
— District Attorney Bubba Bramlett (@Bramlett_DA) May 29, 2021
The tragic loss of Trooper John Harris in Madison County has left so many suffering.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/6COXXL7g0i— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) May 29, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper John Harris, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
