Video: Remembering A Fallen Deputy, 16 Years Later

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BOONEVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – A local sheriff’s department prepares to honor the memory of a deputy killed in the line of duty. As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, although it has been 16 years since the young deputy was killed answering a disturbance call, his family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers are determined to make sure his sacrifice is never forgotten.

Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar is meeting with Jerry and Jo Hisaw, putting final touches on a special ceremony. Every year on March 11th, Deputy Michael Hisaw is remembered with prayer, reflections from family and the planting of a magnolia tree in front of the sheriff’s department.

It was March 11 1999 when Deputy Hisaw was shot to death answering a disturbance call on a county road.

“So many people, I guess, just don’t realize what kind of chances that law enforcement officers take,” Deputy Hisaw’s Mother, Jo, said.

Now, a memorial honoring the 27 year old deputy, whose call sign was “Prentiss 7” is on display inside the sheriff”s department. It includes his badge, along with a medal from the Fraternal Order of Police, and a tracing of the deputy’s name from the National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial in Washington DC.

Outside, a granite marker in memory of Deputy Hisaw, sits at the base of the United States flag.

His parents say their son was living out his dream of working in law enforcement.

“He had wanted to do this most of his life, of course our other son is an attorney and they jokingly would talk to each other sometimes, saying, ‘if you will arrest them, I will prosecute them,” His Father, Jerry said.

The 16th magnolia, in honor of deputy Hisaw ,will be planted in this spot. His mother and father say while they will never get over their son’s untimely death, the annual ceremony and faith helps them to persevere.

“He was a Christian, attended church services every chance he had when he wasn’t working. That gives us hope, we can’t bring him back, but we can go to him,” said Jerry Hisaw.

Sheriff Tolar says Hisaw’s story is a reminder that there is no such thing as a routine call for a law enforcement officer.

“We get up in the morning, we put pants on, uniform, gun and badge, the uncertainty, you can go from sitting back like we are now to being in a confrontation with somebody that’s armed and potentially have to take their life or defend yourself,” Sheriff Tolar said.

The memorial begins at 11 Wednesday morning.

The suspect who killed Deputy Hisaw took his own life that same day. Also, since his death, part of a highway has been named after Hisaw and his call sign, “Prentiss 7” has been retired.