Deputies to stop directing traffic from highway in front of Shannon schools
TUPELO — Deputies will no longer direct traffic from the middle of the highway near Shannon Elementary School or Shannon Elementary School, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday in a Facebook post.
The move follows the deaths of two school resource officers while directing traffic to Shannon schools.
“After the tragic loss of two school resource officers and a serious incident again this morning, this practice can no longer continue,” read the message released Thursday by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. “The safety of our MPs must remain a top priority.”
The ministry did not provide details about Thursday’s “close leak.”
According to the post, the department is working with Lee County Superintendent of Education Coke Magee and his staff, as well as representatives from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, to “evaluate safer traffic solutions.”
“Our agencies are working together to implement changes that will improve traffic flow while ensuring the safety of our deputies, students, staff and families,” the message said before asking parents to allow extra time for student drop-off and pick-up.
On Feb. 2, a southbound SUV veered into the northbound lane outside Shannon Elementary School and struck Lee County Deputy Rick Haggard, 52, of Mooreville. Officials said at the time that the SUV may have been trying to avoid a minivan that was leaving the school and entering the highway around the same time.
Haggard was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
On January 13, 2022, Johnny Patterson, 58, Verona SRO and deputy police chief, was killed while directing traffic on Highway 45 in front of Shannon Elementary School when a motorist traveling north struck the back of his Lee County School District car, overturning it.
Patterson suffered massive trauma and was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center in critical condition. Patterson never regained consciousness. He died eight days later, on January 21.
