State law enforcement, local leaders and residents from across the state paid tribute to fallen police officer Troy Floyd.

Floyd was shot and killed in the line of duty last Thursday while working for the Summit Police Department. Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared Aug. 13, 2024 a day of mourning for Floyd and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. 

Floyd was a Brookhaven native and Lincoln County resident.

Lincoln County Supervisors opened their Tuesday morning by taking time to honor a great man Troy Floyd. District 5 Supervisor Doug Falvey asked for a moment of silence. 

District 3 Supervisor John David Hart led a moving prayer. He thanked God for placing Floyd in their lives. Hart recalled Floyd’s smile and his willingness to share the good news about Jesus Christ with everyone he met. 

Hart prayed for the gathering of people at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church for the visitation and funeral Tuesday. He added it was a tough day but also a day of celebration of Floyd’s life. 

“We pray for the officers who have lost a brother,” Hart said. 

He continued by asking God to touch the lives of people who will be gathered at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church Tuesday and that those who need to hear the gospel would hear it. 

At the church

Across town, Floyd’s family, law enforcement and first responders gathered for Floyd’s visitation and funeral at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church in Brookhaven. 

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the funeral from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Graveside services will follow after a procession down US84 right onto East Lincoln Road down to Bethel Cemetery. 

Brookhaven firefighters started at 6:30 a.m. raising an American Flag in front of the church using Ladder No. 1. Great care was taken to secure the flag and get it in the right position. 

A few residents lined US84 to watch a procession of cars transporting Floyd’s body to the church from Riverwood Funeral Home at 7:30 a.m. Sirens could be heard in the distance for a couple of minutes before the escort appeared. 

Jon and Missy Thames were among the many who stopped on US84 to honor Floyd. Around the truck parked on the side of the road, the Brookhaven couple placed signs and American flags. From the truck bed, Jon hoisted a larger American flag high into the sky.

Missy Thames said she and her husband wanted to come out and honor Floyd for his service as a police officer and former Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy. She said she still holds onto a card Floyd left at their house with his signature. On the back of the business card from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reads the words “Your area has been patrolled by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Dept.” Below Floyd’s signature are the words “Keeping Lincoln County Safe for you.”

 

Law enforcement officers from Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Summit Police Department,  Mississippi Department of Public Services, Wesson Police Department, Brookhaven Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Copiah County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and Mississippi Highway Patrol joined the escort and formed an honor guard.

A thin blue line flag was displayed above the front door of the church where pallbearers, including Summit Police Chief Alex Miller carried Floyd’s casket. As the doors shut, people dispersed to talk. Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing conversed with MDWFP game warden Sheila Smith of Brookhaven and a Patriot Guard Rider. 

Volunteer firefighters across Lincoln County were stationed to help with traffic control and parking.