Video: Blood Drive In Honor Of Slain Agent Tartt And Wounded Officers Draws Many Donors

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NEW ALBANY, MISS. (WCBI) – A blood drive is held to honor a Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agent
killed in the line of duty last week, and three of his fellow officers who
were injured at the hostage situation in Tishomingo County.

Outside the MHP Troop F headquarters in New Albany, flags are at half staff
in honor of Agent Lee Tartt. Only a few feet away from the flagpole, a
blood drive is underway.

“The incident over the weekend reminds us of the importance of having an
adequate supply of blood at all times for all of our patients,” said Lee Hartmann, of United Blood Services.

Steven Prewett is a deputy with the Union County Sheriff’s Department. He
says taking part in the blood drive is a way to show support for his fellow
officers.

“Law enforcement, it’s a family like none other, it’s a real big
brotherhood,” Deputy Prewett said.

Pontotoc resident Patricia Wray said donating blood in honor of the officers
is the one thing she could do.

“They put their life on the line for me everyday, so everybody needs to come
and support them,” Wray said.

Response was so good, a second mobile unit was brought out and hours for the
blood drive were extended, law enforcement say it’s encouraging to know that
in this area, people back the blue.

“I think sometimes it gets lost that there are still folks who support law
enforcement, appreciate the job, they know it comes with the dangers of the
job but there’s a lot of good people out there and this is a way that’s being magnified,” said Master Sgt. Ray Hall, of the MHP.

Hall says it is also great to know that the blood drive will benefit the
entire community.

There are always opportunities to donate blood, to find more information, go
to www.unitedbloodservices.org