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Incident
Agent Marc Whatley was killed in a traffic crash on Highway 15 near Bay Springs, Mississippi, when the vehicle in which he was driving struck a truck that was pulling a cattle trailer.
The truck had pulled in front of them as they were chasing a possible drug suspect. Another narcotics officer was injured in the accident.
Highway 15 from Trace Road north to Highway 537 was renamed the "Marc Lee Whatley Memorial Highway."
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Marc is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Narcotics Agent Whatley gave the Mississippi Department of Public Safety 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Marc Lee Whatley served in the U.S. Army (1987â1992) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Narcotics has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Marc is one of 89 officers lost to accidents in MS, 25.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Marc is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Marc 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 1998, 1 officer in MS was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 64 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 4.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Marc was 29. Of the 83 lost to accidents in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 52; the middle age was 43. Marc had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Marc was 29. 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. Marc had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Marc was 29. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Marc had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 4.5% of these deaths in MS; May holds the most, 16.9%. Thursdays: 13.5%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Narcotics, the most common cause.
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.
His people
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Narcotics has 5 officers remembered here, Marc among them.
Where
Military Service
Marc Lee Whatley served in the U.S. Army (1987–1992) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Marc Lee Whatley’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Bureau of Narcotics are honored on badge.nw.
