Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Cosby was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner from the jail. He had picked the prisoner up from the Tunica County Jail and was transporting him to the Panola County Courthouse for a court appearance. The prisoner was riding in the front seat of the patrol car and started struggling with Deputy Cosby as they drove on U.S. 51 just north of Batesville. The prisoner was able to gain control of Deputy Cosby's weapon and shot him. A passerby located Deputy Cosby in his patrol car in a cottonfield 20 yards off of the highway. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to three life sentences. Deputy Cosby had served with the Panola County Sheriff's Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-A77D4304- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Cosby gave the Panola County Sheriff's Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Batesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cosby.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joe Kenneth Cosby 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joe Kenneth Cosby's cause is highlighted.
How Joe Kenneth Cosby Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joe Kenneth Cosby is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joe Kenneth Cosby was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Panola County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.