Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, Mississippi
End of Watch: Sunday, April 12, 1987
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: K-34
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 10, 1987
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 2002
Trooper Ladner was shot and killed on I-10, in Harrison County, by a suspect who turned out to be wanted in Florida. During the stop Trooper Ladner asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle. The suspect then produced a .38 caliber revolver and shot Trooper Ladner in the chest, knocking him to the ground. He shot him a second time and then stole his service weapon and patrol car.
Although mortally wounded, Trooper Ladner was able to flag down a passing motorist, who transported him to a local hospital. He succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The suspect was convicted of Trooper Ladner's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 17, 2002.
Trooper Ladner had been with the agency for 9 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.
A section of US Highway 49, in Harrison County, was dedicated in Trooper Ladner's memory.