Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Croom, it’s been a minute my brother. You are truly remembered and honored. It was an honor getting to work with you and become a brother. In the short time you were on this earth, it’s known that you truly made a difference. All the way up to the very last minute on this earth, you were making a difference, setting fear and uncertainty aside, to live out the path god laid out for you. Well done brother, well done. Rest easy.

Deputy D. Stanley
Hinds County S.O.

December 19, 2023

06/09/2023

Not just anniversary dates - always remembered and honored.

CJ Caufield
Mississippi Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support (LEAPS)

June 9, 2023

Officer Croom thank you so much for being a great brother to me. Will not ever forget our last meal we had hours before your death.

Patrol officer Kenneth Gee
DURANT PD & LEXINGTON PD

February 20, 2023

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.
Author Unknown

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

September 1, 2022

Officer Croom,

Thank you for your sacrifice for our nation. May you be with the Lord and may he be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain

Pittsburgh PD

July 17, 2022

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whose blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept.
Columbia, SC

July 1, 2022

Rest, brother.

Sgt. Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

June 26, 2022

Still hard to believe brother and I pray for your family everyday. Your time with our department may not have been the longest but you definitely left your mark. I had just talked about us riding together days before getting the call. You will be forever missed

Lieutenant Ned Underwood
Bibb County Sheriffs Department

June 26, 2022

Officer Kennis Winston Croom, thank you for your service! God will watch over you, your family, friends and coworkers during this most difficult time. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten!

Reserve Deputy Brian Jacobsen
Mahaska County Iowa Sheriff’s Office

June 25, 2022

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Croom. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at Meridian Police Department.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
US Postal Inspection Service

June 22, 2022

On behalf of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in Klamath Falls Oregon, we send our sincerest sympathy in the recent loss of your Officer, Winston Croom, in the line of duty. It is always a huge loss when a fellow Officer makes the ultimate sacrifice. His bravery and courage to protect and serve your community has not gone unnoticed . Our Prayers and Thoughts to the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, Jackson, Brookhaven Police Departments and the Honda County Sheriff's Office where Officer Croom had previously served.

Sheriff Chris Kaber
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

June 18, 2022

Rest In Peace. May those you saved be forever thankful. May your family find hope and peace in time.

Danny R.
Former LEO

June 18, 2022

So sad to hear the news.

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers, and friends.

Reserve Police Officer G. Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

June 14, 2022

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Police Officer Kennis Croom. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings, Comfort and Peace to his Family, Friends and all Members of the Meridian Police Department, Mississippi.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

June 14, 2022

Rest In Peace, Officer Croom. Praying for your loved ones.

Officer C Curione (Retired)
Rochester Police Department, NY

June 14, 2022

My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Kennis' family and fellow officers.

M. Hanks
U S. VA Police Department

June 13, 2022

R.I.P. Brother, thanks for your service!

Investigador Sergio A. Rodrigues
Secretaria de segurança pública de SP

June 13, 2022

Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.

Lieutenant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
New York

June 13, 2022

Rest In Peace Officer Crooms, my sincere condolences to your family and to your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Fair winds and following seas brother.

TERRY F ZECH OFC RET
Department of Veteran Affairs Police Department Detroit Michigan

June 13, 2022

God bless you Officer Kennis Croom, for your service and sacrifice. Thoughts and prayers go out to your family friends, and to your brothers and sisters from the Meridian Police Department. Rest in Peace Brother.

Officer Jim Drabos (Retired)
San Gabriel (CA) Police Department

June 13, 2022

On behalf of Session 73 from the Zone Five Academy in New York State, We send out our condolences to the friends and family of Police Officer Kennis Croom and Meridian Police Department.

Recruit, M. Gootz
Zone Five

June 13, 2022

Rest in Peace

A fellow copper
St. Louis Police Department

June 13, 2022

Rest in peace brother. It was a pleasure to work with you while you were in a sister town. This is a big blow knowing that you are gone. I pray that your family finds peace.

Retired Officer/ Friend Jason Jamison
Coaling Police Dept

June 13, 2022

So sad & tragic, RIP Sheepdog. May God bless & comfort your families, both blood & blue. Well done thou good & faithful servant.

I have worked with personnel from both Meridian PD and Lauderdale Co, SO in my current job. I offer my prayers & condolences to them.

Mike Nixon
High Point, NC Police Dept, Retired

June 13, 2022

RIP young man.

Gerard Walls
Richland County Sheriff Department (Retired)

June 13, 2022