A Lee County school resource officer was killed while directing traffic on Monday.
Sheriff Jim Johnson reports that the incident occurred in front of Shannon Elementary School in the afternoon and involved two vehicles. The victim, identified as 52-year-old Rick Haggard, is said to have been hit during the wreck.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved SRO, Rick Haggard. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and our SES family,” a release from Shannon Elementary School reads. “Support services will be made available for our students and staff as we come together to care for one another in the days to come. Thank you for your continued kindness and support of our school community.”
The crash that caused Haggard’s death is under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Shannon Police Department.
Haggard’s tragic passing is not the first of its kind to be reported at Shannon Elementary School. Back in 2022, officer Johnny Patterson was hit by a vehicle and killed.