‘We’re not going to let his death go in vain’: Sheriff vows justice for Claiborne County deputy shot and killed
HERMANVILLE, Miss. (WLBT) - It has been nine days since Claiborne County Sheriff’s Deputy Terrian Bailey was shot and killed on Sept. 7, and no arrests have been made.
The FBI is offering up to $25,000 for information in the case.
Investigators say Bailey was trying to break up a crowd outside the store when he was shot once in his lower body.
“We’re not going to let his death go in vain,” said Sheriff Edward Goods, with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department. “We’re going to take this opportunity to honor him through getting justice, and we’re going to use this opportunity to bring the community together.”
Deputy remembered as dependable
Goods said Deputy Bailey was one of his hardest workers.
The 45-year-old worked at the department for six years and left a lasting impact on his colleagues.
“Mr. Bailey was one of those guys who plugged in wherever he was needed,” Goods said. “Dependable, fun to be around, family oriented, just an overall good guy. He was one of my best workers as far as filling in when someone was sick, filling in when someone took off, vacation; he always volunteered his time.”
Shooting happened during festival
According to investigators, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the annual Hermanville Day festival.
As Bailey went to clear things out, the sheriff said multiple people fired multiple gunshots into the crowd. One of those bullets killed Deputy Bailey.
Goods said the department is tracking down strong leads and has an idea of who is responsible for the shooting. He said he is optimistic an arrest could be made soon but asked the public to remain patient as the investigation continues.
“From the stuff that we are gathering on the scene, we found several different shell casings that were collected on scene, and from some of the witnesses that are calling in, they’re saying that it was more than one shooter,” Goods said.
As the search for suspects continues, Goods said his department won’t stop tracking leads until the suspects are arrested.
“I think we are going to use this to send a message, not only to those who are involved in this, but to those who are thinking about coming here to Claiborne County doing anything of this nature,” Goods said. “We are going to send a message moving forward that this is not going to happen anymore.”
Community holds prayer vigil
It has been more than a week since the shooting, and many community members are still having a hard time processing what happened.
“What makes it so hard is that number one, you are still hoping that they will catch the person who committed this,” said Reverend Hugh M. Johnson of Mt. Zion and Magnolia Missionary Baptist Churches. “Then, to the person who did it, somebody knows something. It’s hard when folks know about crimes and be silent, it’s hard.”
Johnson organized a community-wide prayer vigil. He said he is praying for peace and love, words he said many people are using to describe Deputy Bailey.
“First of all, to comfort the family,” Johnson said. “The Bible says he is the God of all consolation, that sometimes the Holy Spirit, God, knows how to comfort those who are hurting. My thing is that hoping that we come together. After praying, we will go back better than we did when we walked in.”
Reverend Oliver Chambliss, who lives in Claiborne County and is a former law enforcement officer, said he is also taking the loss hard.
“Our motto is ‘going home,’” Chambliss said. “Sometimes when you leave and that unit, get in that unit and go out here and serve the community, the people, you never know if you will be coming back home.”
Chambliss said he did not know Bailey but still feels a personal connection to him.
“That officer is like your fellow officer, whether you are on that department or not because you’ve been in that line before,” Chambliss said. “You’ve been in that line of fire before, you’ve been in that line and that situation before, so it’s just like a brother.”
Chambliss said he is hoping an arrest will be made soon.
“I would say to whomever committed to crime, I would say to that person, reaching out to that person, think about it and come turn yourself in,” Chambliss said. “There’s always a thing called repentance.”
Sheriff asks public to avoid posting on social media
Goods said people are posting videos and other material on social media that could potentially be connected to the crime. He asked the public not to do that, and instead to send information to the sheriff’s department or Crime Stoppers.
Funeral arrangements
Deputy Bailey will be laid to rest this weekend.
Visitation will be held Friday evening from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Barnes Chapel in Port Gibson.
A second visitation will be held Saturday afternoon from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Alcorn State University.
The homegoing service will begin immediately afterward at 1 p.m.
Deputies from neighboring counties will patrol Claiborne County while members of the sheriff’s department attend the Saturday service.
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