The Mississippi Department of Corrections reported the death of one of their own, Correctional Officer Trainee Tyshawna Nellum.
This is a press release.
The Department of Corrections offers their condolences to the family and friends of Correctional Officer Trainee Tyshawna Nellum, who was killed after leaving work.
Nellum, 25, of Greenwood, died from injuries received in an automobile accident on Aug. 19 between Schlater and Greenwood in Leflore County.
Visitation was Aug. 25, at Century Funeral Home in Greenwood, and services were Saturday, Aug. 26, at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, also in Greenwood.
“Words cannot fully express the sorrow of the entire MDOC community,” Commissioner Pelicia E. Hall said. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Nellum.”
Nellum had just finished her shift at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, where she began working in October 2016, and was headed home when her 2015 Chevrolet Impala suffered a flat tire.
The vehicle, stopped in the roadway due to the flat tire, was struck by a 2002 Lincoln Navigator about two miles south of Mississippi 442 and U.S. 49 East, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Nellum was sitting inside.
After the impact, Nellum’s vehicle went into a field and overturned in a ditch. She was taken to Greenwood-Leflore Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The accident, reported at 11:30 p.m., remains under investigation.
“She loved her job,” said Warden Sonja Stanciel, who oversees the area where Nellum worked. “She kept a smile on her face. She was dedicated. She was eager to learn and wasn’t afraid to ask questions. She had gone back to school to further her education.”
