Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Hickman was shot and killed after responding to a weapon violation call at a bar at 924 Lynch Street. A woman had called 911 to report that a man was chasing her with a shotgun down Lynch Street. Several minutes later another caller stated gunshots had been fired in a nearby alley. When Patrolman Hickman and his partner arrived on the scene they encountered the man sitting in front of the bar with a shotgun on his lap. As the officers exited their patrol car the man opened fire, killing Patrolman Hickman. Patrolman Hickman's partner returned fire, wounding the suspect. The suspect, 58, a drifter and former mental patient, was charged with murder. Patrolman Hickman had served with the Jackson Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-393D2E99- 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.
Patrolman Hickman gave the Jackson Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hickman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William Rankin Hickman 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 Jackson Police Department, 14 of 19 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 73.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Rankin Hickman's cause is highlighted.
How William Rankin Hickman Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Rankin Hickman is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Rankin Hickman was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Jackson Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
