Funeral for trooper struck, killed by truck set Tuesday in Madison

Funeral for trooper struck, killed by truck set Tuesday in Madison

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MADISON — The funeral service for MHP Trooper John Martin Harris who died in the line of duty last week will be live-streamed by Broadmoor Baptist Church on Tuesday.

Visitation will begin at noon followed by the service at 2 at p.m. Interment will be in Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery.

A native of Clarksdale, Harris, 44, had lived in Madison since 2004. Early in his career, he served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

Since childhood, all Harris had ever wanted was to be a policeman, his family said.

He began his law enforcement career in 1997 in Webb, Mississippi, he then served in Friars Point where he earned his first Purple Heart. He then served in Madison County and then the Richland Police Department before joining the Highway Patrol.

He achieved the dream of his life in 2018 when he graduated Cadet Class #62 and became a Mississippi Highway Patrolman, according to his family.

Harris was struck by a dump truck and killed west of Canton on Friday during a routine traffic stop, the authorities said.

The crash occurred on Mississippi 16 west of I-55 near Old Yazoo Road.

"The Mississippi Highway Patrol mourns the loss of Trooper John Harris," Col. Randy Ginn said. "Trooper Harris was a passionate, dedicated public servant and an important member of the MHP family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.”

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves released a statement on social media Saturday morning

“The tragic loss of Trooper John Harris in Madison County has left so many suffering,” Reeves Tweeted. ”It is a stark reminder of how fragile life on earth can be — and of the sacrifices made each and every day by his fellow MHP Troopers and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement across Mississippi and this great country.”

Reeves’ statement included a reference to James 5:13 in the New Testament: “The question is asked and answered, ‘Is anyone among you suffering? Let them pray.’

“Elee and I pray for his wife, his young children, his Mom and Dad and the rest of his extended family.

“We pray because we are suffering! We pray because we believe in the power of prayer! We pray because we take comfort in our belief in eternal life.

“And we pray because, ‘This kind (of suffering) cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.’ (Mark 9:29)”

Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell also weighed in with a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Trooper John Harris (Z-21),” Tindell said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow Troopers.”

Harris had been with the agency for just over three years.

The investigation is ongoing, the MHP said.

 Harris’s served as a detective with the Richland Police Department before "finishing his goal and dream as a Trooper," the department said in a Facebook post Saturday morning. "Trooper Harris was a good friend and co-worker that will be greatly missed. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with his family in the days to come."

The Madison Police Department said in a Facebook post on Friday, "The men and women of the Madison Police Department offer their condolences and prayers to our fellow law enforcement family at the Mississippi Highway Patrol."

The Ridgeland Police Department said in a post on Friday, "Not for us to question Gods timing but we will have peace in knowing he was taken doing what he loved and serving for a purpose. Our prayers are with his family, the DPS/MHP family and all of law enforcement."

Trooper Harris is survived by his wife Kate Parker Harris and children Parker and Cooper. A fundraising campaign for his family was started on Facebook.






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