Miss. town mourns 2 killed in traffic stop
HATTIESBURG, Miss. — The slaying of two police officers here has drawn national attention as Attorney General Loretta Lynch vowed to offer “any possible aid” to the community.
HATTIESBURG, MISS. The slaying of two police officers here has drawn national attention as Attorney General Loretta Lynch vowed to offer “any possible aid” to the community as it investigates the incident.
Hattiesburg Police patrolmen Benjamin J. Deen and Liquori Tate died Saturday night after being shot shortly before 8 p.m. while making a traffic stop.
One of the officers was shot in the face and the other was struck under his vest, said Albert Santa Cruz, Mississippi commissioner of Public Safety.
Four suspects made a court appearance Monday. Marvin Banks, 29, and Joanie Calloway, 22, both of Hattiesburg, were charged with two counts of capital murder, while Banks’ brother, Curtis Banks, 26, was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact of capital murder. Cornelius Clark, 28, was charged with obstruction of justice.
“In a city as amazing as Hattiesburg, this is an unfathomable tragedy,” said state Rep. Toby Barker, a Republican from Hattiesburg. “Everyone in our community feels this one.”
In a statement Monday, Lynch echoed Barker’s sentiments.
“The shocking assault on law enforcement officers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, struck at the heart of that great city. ... And we will continue to do all that we can to protect our officers across the country and support all those who wear the badge.”
Lynch noted that the deaths of Deen and Tate happened while the nation is observing Police Week, “when we pause to remember and honor the more than 20,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty.”
A memorial service for Deen and Tate was held Monday, where Gov. Phil Bryant praised police officers: “The will of the men and women who wear that badge is strong.”
Deen, 34, a six-year veteran, left behind a wife and two children. Tate, 25, had been on patrol less than a year.
“The shocking assault ... struck at the heart of that great city.”
State Rep. Toby Barker