By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A Lee County, Mississippi, school resource officer was fatally struck by a vehicle while directing traffic outside an elementary school.
• The incident occurred around 3 p.m. Monday in front of Shannon Elementary School in Shannon.
• The officer was identified as 52-year-old Deputy Rick Haggard, who later died from his injuries.
• Mississippi Highway Patrol and Shannon Police Department are investigating the collision.
SHANNON, MS — A Lee County sheriff’s deputy serving as a school resource officer was killed Monday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle while directing traffic outside Shannon Elementary School, officials said.
The collision occurred at about 3:05 p.m. in front of the school on Romie Hill Avenue, Lee County Sheriff Jim H. Johnson said, and involved two vehicles.
Deputy Rick Haggard, 52, was outside of his patrol vehicle performing traffic control duties when he was struck by a car, the Mississippi Highway Patrol reported. He later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the ongoing investigation into the vehicle-pedestrian collision with assistance from the Shannon Police Department. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of the crash or identified the driver involved.
Officials from the sheriff’s office asked the community to keep Haggard’s family, colleagues, and the school community in their thoughts as the investigation continues.