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Incident
Patrolman Mac Hemphill was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic on Route 18, in front of Forest Hill School in Jackson, during a high school football game.
He and another officer were standing in the center of the road when the driver of a vehicle narrowly missed his partner. The car then fatally struck Patrolman Hemphill. The driver of the vehicle, who was traveling more than the posted 30 mph speed limit, was charged with manslaughter.
The driver admitted to having one beer at a restaurant before the crash but was found not guilty during a circuit jury trial on November 27th, 1957.
Patrolman Hemphill had served with the Hinds County Road Patrol for 18 months after retiring from the Jackson Fire Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two adult children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Hemphill gave the Hinds County Road Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hemphill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Mac is the only officer of Hinds County Road Patrol remembered here.
Mac is one of 89 officers lost to accidents in MS, 25.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Mac is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Mac is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1957, 1 officer in MS was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 64 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 4.
In 1957, 55 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 85th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1957, 69 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 75th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Mac was 56. Of the 83 lost to accidents in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 52; the middle age was 43. Mac had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Mac was 56. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Mac had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mac was 56. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Mac had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10.1% of these deaths in MS; May holds the most, 16.9%. Fridays: 16.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Hinds County Road Patrol.
Accident deaths account for 25.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
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