Governor Tate Reeves is calling for all flags across Mississippi to be flown at half-staff on Friday in honor of the George County deputy who was killed in the line of duty last week.
Reeves issued the executive order in response to Jeremy Malone losing his life during what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop. Malone, a longtime law enforcement officer, was killed by Rickey Powell after he attempted to pull the lifelong criminal over on Highway 98 in Lucedale.
“Deputy Jeremy Malone was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while keeping us safe,” Reeves wrote alongside the proclamation. “Mississippi will never forget him, and our entire state will always be grateful for his service.”
Deputy Jeremy Malone was a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice while keeping us safe. Mississippi will never forget him, and our entire state will always be grateful for his service.
I’ve proclaimed tomorrow as a day of mourning and ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff. pic.twitter.com/JduIrQiDJm
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) January 11, 2024
During the incident on Jan. 4, Powell shot Malone, 44, in a Dollar General parking lot before leading other law enforcement officers on a three-county chase that ended with the criminal losing his life in Perry County. It was later revealed that Powell, 43, had a 25-year rap sheet in both Mississippi and Alabama and had even spent time at Parchman.
As flags across the state fly half-staff in his honor until sunset, Malone will be buried on Friday with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. at Agricola Baptist Church in Lucedale. Procession and burial are to follow.
