Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi
End of Watch Friday, March 23, 1984
Add to My HeroesSteven K. Gardner
Trooper Steven Gardner was shot and killed by a suspect he had arrested earlier in the night. The suspect bonded out of jail, changed cars, and began searching for Trooper Gardner. After several hours the suspect located Trooper Gardner parked on the side Highway 51 near Hazelhurst doing paperwork. The suspect then intentionally struck Trooper Gardner's patrol car.
Trooper Gardner notified dispatch he had been involved in an accident and was checking on the other driver. As he approached the car he was shot in the chest. The round struck him in between the panels of his vest. As he fell to the ground he was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
The ensuing investigation determined that the suspect had searched for Trooper Gardner for most of the night and that Trooper Gardner did not immediately recognize him because he had switched cars.
Trooper Gardner had served with the agency for one year. A portion of United States Highway 51 South of Hazlehurst has been dedicated to Trooper Gardner.
Bio
- Age 30
- Tour 1 year
- Badge M-11
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 46 ReflectionsRIP Trooper.
Keith Buckley
Retired military
March 23, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024
Police Officer Matthew Henke Ruge
Burnsville Police Department, MN
EOW: February 18, 2024