Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Rickey Simmons was shot and killed with his own weapon while struggling with a mental patient. He had responded to an initial report of a burglary in progress but discovered that the call was actually a domestic dispute. Sergeant Simmons was attempting to arrest the male subject when a struggle ensued. The subject was able to gain control of Sergeant Simmons' .357 caliber revolver and fatally shot him. The man fled but was apprehended a short time later. The man was apprehended and subsequently convicted of murder and burglary. He was sentenced to life plus 15 years. In January 2022, he died in prison. Sergeant Simmons had served with the Jackson Police Department for just under 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-EBC53FE1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Simmons gave the Jackson Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Simmons.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Rickey Joe Simmons is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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. Rickey Joe Simmons's cause is highlighted.
How Rickey Joe Simmons Compares
Offender Outcome
Died while incarcerated
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rickey Joe Simmons is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rickey Joe Simmons was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
18 officers from Jackson Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
