Roll of Honor
John R. Klem III
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Klem succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on September 15th, 1985, at 12:55 am while searching a subject. He had responded to a call at a convenience store about a man bothering the two female clerks at the Big K Truck Stop at 7060 U.S. 49 North. When Deputy Klem arrived he recognized the suspect as being involved in an incident the previous night. As he patted the man down the suspect suddenly attacked him. He gained control of Deputy Klem's weapon and shot him twice. Deputy Klem was transported to Forrest General Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. On June 29, 1987, the suspect, 26, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Deputy Klem had served with the Forrest County Sheriff's Office for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MS-5453B59D- Stewardship
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- 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 Klem gave the Forrest County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hattiesburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Klem.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John R. Klem III served in the U.S. Air Force (1959â1963) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff John R. Klem III 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 Forrest County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John R. Klem III's cause is highlighted.
How John R. Klem III Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John R. Klem III is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John R. Klem III was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
John R. Klem III served in the U.S. Air Force (1959–1963) before joining law enforcement.
Visit John R. Klem III’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Forrest County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
