Video: Family and Law Enforcement Gather to Honor Anniversary of Officer’s Slaying

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PRENTISS COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — First responders in one Northeast Mississippi county paused for a moment today to remember a hero. As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, fifteen years ago on this day, Prentiss County lost a law enforcement officer in the line of duty.

The solemn ceremony began with a 9 1 1 radio message.

Deputy Michael Hisaw was 27 years old when his life was cut short.

And every year, on March 11th, family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers gather at the Prentiss County Criminal Justice Center to honor Hisaw, who worked as a Juvenile Officer and wore badge number P7.

Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar was with the Baldwyn Police Department 15 years ago, but he knew Deputy Hisaw and says the tragedy shows the danger law officers face on a daily basis.

Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar said this about Hisaw: “In this particular case, Michael knew the suspect, or the individual that took his life, and he had never been really a violent person or had any problems with him so one thing I’ve tried to instill in my officers is to use caution, even people you know, that you’d never had a problem out of before, use caution with them, because they may be the very one that takes your life, or hurts you.”

Hisaw’s family members say they appreciate the annual show of support for a son and grandson, who always wanted to be a police officer.

“It means a lot to us and to know that people haven’t forgotten him, and that means a lot,” said Hisaw’s Mother, Jo Hisaw.

Hisaw’s Grandmother, Willa Dean Hisaw said, “It’s so precious to all of us and we think, our loss is heaven’s gain.”

The brief ceremony ended, like all the others, with the planting of a magnolia tree in memory of Deputy Hisaw.

Deputy Hisaw is the only law enforcement officer in Prentiss County to die in the line of duty.