Incident
Corporal Zach Moak and Patrolman James White were shot and killed in front of a home at 630 North Sixth Street while responding to reports of shots fired shortly before 5:00 a.m.
Both officers encountered a male subject in front of the home and exchanged shots. The subject and both officers were struck during the shooting. Patrolman White and Corporal Moak were both transported to King's Daughters Medical Center, where they succumbed to their wounds.
The subject was taken into custody and taken to a separate hospital. Two additional subjects were taken into custody as part of the investigation. The suspect was a fugitive at the time of the shootings for failing to appear for a court date after a high-speed chase in 2017. In November 2021, the suspect pled guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for both counts of first-degree murder, as well as ten years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentences are to be run concurrently.
Corporal Moak had served with the Brookhaven Police Department for three years and had previously served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Wesson Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, brother, niece, and nephew.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-5BEEF78E- 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.
Corporal Moak gave the Brookhaven Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brookhaven community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Moak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Corporal Walter Zachery Moak 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 Brookhaven Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Walter Zachery Moak's cause is highlighted.
How Walter Zachery Moak Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Walter Zachery Moak is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Walter Zachery Moak was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Brookhaven Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

