Holly MatkinTupelo, MS – Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Deputy Dylan Pickle died in the line of duty early Sunday morning, just hours after he and a fellow deputy were hit by a vehicle as they were working a traffic checkpoint.
Deputy Pickle, 24, was working at the checkpoint near Hamilton Road and Seely Drive with three other deputies on July 25 when a vehicle came through at approximately 9:44 p.m., Monroe County Sheriff Kevin Crook told the Monroe Journal.
The driver slammed into Deputy Pickle and 27-year-old MCSO Deputy Zack Wilbanks, severely injuring them both.
They were rushed to a local hospital, where Deputy Pickle was immediately taken into surgery, the Monroe Journal reported.
He did not survive the procedure, and passed away at 12:01 a.m. due to head trauma.
Deputy Wilbanks also suffered head injuries, as well as a broken leg, the Monroe Journal reported.
He underwent surgery for his leg on Sunday afternoon, and is expected to recover.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is handling the ongoing investigation into the deadly crash.
Sheriff Crook said that the incident “appears to be an accident,” but provided no further details.
Deputy Pickle, a Mississippi National Guard veteran, served with the Armory Police Department and the Aberdeen Police Department before he began working at the MCSO as a detention officer, Sheriff Crook told the Monroe Journal.
After completing a deployment to Syria, Deputy Pickle returned to the jail facility and began working his way through the ranks, MCSO Captain Scotty Clark told WCBI.
According to the sheriff, the young deputy “sent himself to the academy at Moorhead,” and had recently become a MCSO patrol deputy.
“He was doing an awesome job,” Sheriff Crook told the Monroe Journal. “He won everybody over with his work ethic and attitude.”
Deputy Pickle “did what he had his heart set on doing” and “had a bright future in front of him,” the sheriff said.
He had recently completed his field training, and was ready to go out on patrol on his own, WCBI reported.
“You can second guess yourself and think, ‘did we promote him too quick, put him on the road too fast,’ Sheriff Crook told WCBI. “But he was doing what he wanted to do and we were giving him a shot to do what he wanted to do, and he loved doing it.”
“I would not have changed that,” he added. “I believe our days are numbered and I also believe he got to do what he wanted to do.”
Deputy Pickle will be laid to rest on Thursday, according to his obituary.
Please keep the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in your thoughts and prayers. They had two deputies struck at a safety checkpoint overnight. Deputy Dylan Pickle has since passed from his injuries.#officerdown #neverforgetthefallen #EOW #monroecounty #mississippi pic.twitter.com/H4F29K7qRw
— Oakboro Police Dept. (@Oakboropolicenc) July 26, 2020
In honor of soldier & Monroe County (MS) deputy, Dylan Pickle, who lost his life while working a roadblock last night. Condolences to his family, friends, department, & community. Our nation has lost another hero. pic.twitter.com/spsxftqD1N
— The Mark White Show (@MarkWhiteShow) July 26, 2020
We send our condolences to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department (Mississippi) and the family and friends of Deputy Dylan Pickle.
Deputy Pickle was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a safety checkpoint. #MoveOver #EndofWatch pic.twitter.com/c35mR2a5QD
— PBSO (@PBCountySheriff) July 28, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dylan Pickle, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
