The loss of two longserving officers to cancer within eight days of each other in 2020 was the catalyst for a memorial wall at the Jones County Sheriff’s Office that was unveiled last week.
The wall was dedicated April 21 with the families of the five officers in attendance. Chief Barbara Burnette died Dec. 17, 2020, and Capt. Jimmy Black died Dec. 25, both following extended battles with cancer.
Chief Deputy Earl Humphries said their deaths happening so close together hit everyone in the department hard.
“We started thinking about what we had lost to cancer,” he said.
Then the JCSO lost Capt. Billy Wayne Mitchell Oct. 14, 2021, after a five-year battle with cancer. Mitchell served with the JCSO for 25 years with his final years as Captain of the Traffic Division.
Burnette worked for the JCSO for 30 years. Black spent 42 years in law enforcement with the past 28 years with the JCSO. Both Burnette and Black continued to serve in their jobs long after it seemed possible for them to do so.
Humphries still finds it hard to talk about their deaths.
“We thought long and hard about a memorial wall. It’s still a work in progress,” he said. “We wanted to look at the significanc of the loss to cancer first.”
The chief said the location of the memorial wall, inside the investigators’ office, was by design.
“We didn’t want it in a public place. Our goal wasn’t to inspire the public but to inspire our officers to work up to their level,” he said.
Humphries said about 60 attended the April 21 dedication and unveiling ceremony, and they were excited about the turnout of the families of those who adorn the wall.
Other plaques honor Louie Turk, who served as one of JCSO’s first chief deputies. He served from September of 1982 until his death in June of 1991, also of cancer.
Humphries said Leland Nichols was an officer from June of 2004 and died of cancer in November of 2009.
“Leland gave up a lucrative career as a welder because he was happier in law enforcement. He brought a good attitude and work ethic to the department,” the chief said.
Humphries said it was Burnette’s idea for the cancer patrol car long before she was diagnosed with the disease. He said Nichols’ death was the one of the reasons for the car and the building that sets behind the JCSO, known as the E-wing, is named in honor of Nichols.
