Saturday, December 8 at 12:30 p.m. I had the misfortune to see my truck leave my driveway with two suspects in it. They were armed, as I had left my hunting rifle and hunting pistol in the vehicle.

My wife watched their direction and passed the pertinent information along to the 911 dispatcher. I gave pursuit in order to relay their location to dispatch.

Having gone only three miles and entering Como, the suspects were engaged by Panola County Sheriff’s Department and Como Police Department. After a series of events the suspects went off road, became stuck and fled on foot.

A Panola County sheriff’s deputy was at the truck within one minute and determined the suspects had left the rifle, but had taken the high-powered, scoped handgun.

Within a very few minutes, there were more officers from the Panola Sheriff’s Department, Como Police Department, as well as Batesville Police Department and K-9 unit, Crenshaw Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officers and U.S. marshals.

A perimeter was quickly established and the K-9 unit and other officers carefully searched the area. Weather conditions made for the inability of the K-9 unit to be successful.

After four hours the search was aborted due to safety concerns. However, officers remained on patrol and around 7 p.m. the suspects were captured by Sheriff Dennis Darby and assisted by Deputy George Renfro.

Having witnessed the response to the situation I will say that the professionalism of every officer involved, including dispatch, was exceptional.

The officers, even being from different departments, performed as if they had practiced the event.

With deepest sincerity I thank each and every person involved. It was a peaceful ending to a situation that could have shattered many lives.

It was later learned that the suspects had escaped from jail in a neighboring county and were on the run.

Again, thanks to all for your service and a job well done. You are all a trusted asset to our community and are still, as you have always been and will be, in my prayers each night.

Respectfully submitted,
Rick Hoseney