Roll of Honor
David Bruce Ladner
Incident
Trooper Ladner was shot and killed on I-10, in Harrison County, by a suspect who turned out to be wanted in Florida. During the stop Trooper Ladner asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle. The suspect then produced a .38 caliber revolver and shot Trooper Ladner in the chest, knocking him to the ground. He shot him a second time and then stole his service weapon and patrol car. Although mortally wounded, Trooper Ladner was able to flag down a passing motorist, who transported him to a local hospital. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspect was convicted of Trooper Ladner's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 17, 2002. Trooper Ladner had been with the agency for 9 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. A section of US Highway 49, in Harrison County, was dedicated in Trooper Ladner's memory.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-96584C9A- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Ladner gave the Mississippi Department of Public Safety 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Ladner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper David Bruce Ladner is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MS, 243 of 350 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this state's fallen. That is 69.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, 10 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Bruce Ladner's cause is highlighted.
How David Bruce Ladner Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Bruce Ladner is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Bruce Ladner was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
