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Incident
Corporal Willie Hammond was killed while responding to a disturbance and trespassing call at Carver Elementary School. The school's principal had called the police to report that a man was inside causing a disturbance and refusing to leave. As Corporal Hammond arrived he located the man on Jefferson Street next to the school. The man then attached Corporal Hammond as he exited the patrol car. Corporal Hammond was stabbed in the neck during the struggle before the man disarmed him and struck him several times with his slapjack. The subject then started to walk away but opened fire on other arriving officers. One of the officers returned fire with a shotgun and wounded the man. Corporal Hammond was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The man was charged with capital murder but accepted a plea deal in which he plead guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was later shot and killed during a confrontation with the Clarksdale Police Department after being released from prison. Corporal Hammond had served with the Indianola Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Corporal Hammond gave the Indianola Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Hammond.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Indianola Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Willie is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Willie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willie is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willie was 40. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Willie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Willie was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Willie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Willie was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Willie had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10.3% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Wednesdays: 16.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Indianola Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Indianola Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Willie among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Indianola Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
