Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Harold Presley was shot and killed by a kidnapping suspect who had fled from police earlier in the night.
The suspect had fled the scene of a roadblock and exchanged shots with pursuing officers. He managed to elude officers during a foot chase after crashing his vehicle. Later in the evening, Sheriff Presley received a call from a homeowner whose dogs were barking.
When he arrived on the scene at approximately 4:15 a.m., he and the homeowner went to a shed on the property. When Sheriff Presley opened the door, the suspect inside immediately opened fire, striking Sheriff Presley several times. Although mortally wounded, Sheriff Presley was able to return fire and kill the suspect as well.
The kidnapping victim died of her injuries.
Sheriff Presley was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War who had served with the Lee County Sheriff's Department for 13 years and had been the sheriff for eight years. Sheriff Presley's cousin was Elvis Presley.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, and his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-EF38F7A4- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harold. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sheriff Presley gave the Lee County Sheriff's Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tupelo community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Harold Ray Presley served in the Army (1968â1970) before joining law enforcement.
Sheriff Harold Ray Presley 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 Lee County Sheriff's 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. Harold Ray Presley's cause is highlighted.
How Harold Ray Presley Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Ray Presley is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Ray Presley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
