MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mississippi officials say a Sardis Police officer was killed in a car crash Saturday morning.
According to the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, Sardis Police officer Courtney Pride was killed in a single vehicle crash around 7 a.m. on U.S. Highway 61 near Green River Road when his vehicle went off the road and crashed into some trees.
The sheriff’s office says Pride was off-duty at the time of the crash.
“Please pray for his family, friends and for the Sardis Police Department as they deal with the lost of Officer Pride,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Sunday morning.
The 27 year-old officer spent time working for the Sardis Police Department and most recently worked with the Mississippi department of public safety. Family friend, Tammy Milan, says law enforcement was his passion.
“I heard he was the type, he would give you a chance, he would give you a chance. I never had the chance to run into him, I’m getting pulled over by him — great kid,” Milan said. “We gotta come together because it’s hard tragedy in Sardis. We done lost a lot of young men, young kids, it’s been rough, rough for Sardis.”
Milan says Pride was affectionately known as “Buddy” and the most difficult thing about the loss is that he has just gotten married and had a baby.
The crash is being investigated by Mississippi highway patrol and officials could be releasing additional information later this week.
This is a developing story.
