SUMMIT — Brookhaven resident Troy Floyd, who ran for Lincoln County Sheriff in 2023, was shot and killed in the line of duty Thursday afternoon. Floyd and two other officers were shot during an incident in Summit. 

Floyd lost his mom about a month ago and celebrated the birth of a new grandchild a few weeks ago before his end of watch on August 8, 2024. 

He was a native son of Lincoln County. Floyd graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1991 and lived in the Clear Branch community. Donnie “Speedy” Hedgepeth said he and Floyd grew up together, went to school and church together. 

Floyd’s family owned the Half Shell where Hedgepeth said he and his mom worked. He added Floyd would always be there working beside him washing dishes or busing tables. 

“He was a hard worker and would give the shirt off of his back. He loved his family and his church. He loved every stranger,” Hedgepeth said. “I know I loved him. He was my brother. We spent days, nights and weekends together growing up.”

After high school, Hedgepeth joined the military while Floyd joined law enforcement. 

He worked as a jailer, patrol officer and parole agent with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Wesson and Summit Police Departments. His career in law enforcement spanned 27 years. 

Hedgepeth said his intent was to join law enforcement when he got back from the military but an injury kept him from those dreams. They were able to work together still, as Hedgepeth works in the jail and is a volunteer firefighter in Lincoln County. 

“We would talk every day,” Hedgepeth said. “He would make sure he would call or text and check on you. I didn’t get that call today.” 

Anyone who knew Floyd knew he was terrified of cemeteries. Hedgepeth said he was partly to blame. One night he, Floyd and a friend decided to get drunk and went to a cemetery. A grave had been dug with plywood covering the hole. Hedgepeth said he pushed him in and left him there for about 30 minutes. Floyd said he didn’t ever want to get drunk again after he got out of the hole. It took a little bit longer for Floyd and Hedgepeth to get back on the right path but it eventually happened. 

“We didn’t like the way we were going. We went back to church service and gave up drinking. We were starting to become alcoholics and we decided to turn our lives around,” Hedgepeth said. “He was one of a kind. He was wonderful. Troy didn’t use foul language. He was always straight. He loved everyone. To know Troy was to love Troy.” 

Love for people

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing said Floyd was a great guy who started his career in law enforcement about the time Rushing did. Rushing recalled Floyd riding with him on patrol when Floyd was a reserve officer. Floyd would work several times for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. 

“He loved law enforcement and working with people and kids,” Rushing said. “He worked with our DARE program. He just had a heart for kids and people in general. Working with kids was what he really enjoyed doing. He enjoyed interacting with the community and had a great knack for connecting with kids in that way.” 

Floyd ran for sheriff when Rushing had initially decided to not run. People asked Floyd to run for sheriff. He told The Daily Leader in a Meet the Candidates questionnaire he always believed he had a higher calling to serve in law enforcement. 

Floyd had great compassion for others especially with his job. He attended Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church. His faith was the driving force in his life as evidenced by numerous stories people shared in reaction to his death. 

Rushing said one thing was for certain about Floyd. 

“You knew where he stood in life with his faith. He loved the Lord more than anything and you knew where he stood,” Rushing said. “The way he carried himself. Serving people was always in his heart. Even when he worked in Pike County, he was still connected to us.”

Heartbreak again

Floyd’s death in the line of duty is unfortunately one of several over the past seven years with ties to Lincoln County. Brookhaven Police Department lost Cpl. Zach Moak and patrolman James White in the line of duty on Sept. 29, 2018. 

Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy William Durr was one of eight people killed in the May 27, 2017 shootings in Bogue Chitto. Kennis Croom, a former Brookhaven Police Officer, was killed during a manhunt in Meridian.

Thursday evening was somber as  first responders from across southwest Mississippi gathered together along I-55 to pay their respects as Floyd’s body was transported to the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s Office in Pearl. 

Traffic passed underneath the Mt. Zion overpass as drivers waved and honked horns to a fluttering American Flag. Then the interstate became eerily quiet as a convoy of MHP officers and Lincoln County Sheriff Deputies escorted Floyd to the Copiah County line from Pike County. Volunteer firefighters held ball caps in their hands in reverence as the convoy passed by. 

One highway patrolman said he came all the way down to the Mt. Zion exit from Madison and Yazoo Counties. 

A long line of law enforcement vehicles escorted Floyd from Pearl to Riverwood Funeral Home Thursday night. Constable Wade Hinshaw was one of the men who hopped in his patrol car to join the procession at the county line.