While the sun shined, and brightly so in the City of Greenville Wednesday, grief-filled clouds hung low about the steps of City Hall in the wake of Detective Myiesha Stewart’s death.
A press conference was held Wednesday regarding the death of Stewart. Stewart — a mother, daughter, friend and officer — was shot and killed in the line of duty Tuesday night while responding to a call near Reed and Rebecca streets.
According to a press release from Mayor Errick Simmons, several other people were injured by gunshots.
“Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell has been notified and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will conduct a thorough investigation into this matter,” the press release stated.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said the suspect is being treated and is in the custody of law enforcement.
No additional threats have been verified and the threat that existed Tuesday night is “under control.”
The mother, father and 3-year-old son of Stewart joined Simmons, along with Chief Marcus Turner Sr., Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and several other law enforcement officers as he addressed those in attendance.
“It is difficult to find words at a time like this. It is definitely a sad day for Greenville, it’s a sad day for the Mississippi Delta, it’s a sad day for the state of Mississippi when an officer pays the ultimate sacrifice in losing her life in the line of duty,” Simmons began. “Today, we feel the hurt of a three-year-old son left without a mother. We feel the hurt of a mother and a father who have lost a daughter. We feel the hurt of a police department that has lost an officer.”
Simmons, holding back tears, continued, “The family is hurt. Our community is hurt. No one understands this more than the brave men and women standing here on the steps beside me, the brave men and women who wake up every single day of their lives to protect and serve this community.”
He highlighted Stewart’s willingness to be one of the men and women who run to the danger when others run away and the heart and courage she exhibited by putting fear aside to help others.
“In her final act she leaves a legacy of duty, honor, strength, courage and service. An officer who, not so long ago, left the academy and moved quickly up the ranks to become an investigator with the Greenville Police Department,” Simmons pointed out. “To know investigator Stewart was to respect her, respect her work and to love her as a person. In the midst of this tragedy, and true to her legacy, we rise in the face of adversity.”
Since the tragic incident, law enforcement, public safety personnel, community members, faith-based leaders and many others have banded together to see to the physical and emotional needs of officers.
Spiritual counseling and grief sessions were held Tuesday morning at the Washington County Convention Center for law enforcement officers and first responders
“Our first responders need prayers, grief counseling, and spiritual advice as a result of our tragic loss,” Simmons stated.
Counselors, pastors, and religious leaders were on hand to comfort and provide services to first responders.
“This is who we are — one Greenville. Our greatest strength in Greenville is our ability to come together to lend helping hands to each other at a time in need such as this. That is what we do, that is who we are,” Simmons added.
The investigation is in the hands of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
Further details will be shared as we learn more information.
