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Incident
Deputy Jailer Casey Ryan Harmon was shot and killed by a 16-year-old detainee who was about to be released for a shoplifting charge at the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center at 454 Commerce Street in Tupelo. The juvenile was between two locked doors when Deputy Harmon opened one of the doors in anticipation of the stepfather's arrival. After he turned his back, the subject shot him in the back of the head once with a small handgun he had managed to conceal in his shoe. The subject then took Deputy Harmon's keys and released another juvenile prisoner, and took Deputy Harmon's weapon, which was kept in a lock box while he was on duty. The two subjects then left the facility and called another juvenile to come to pick them up. They were later stopped in a nearby county and taken into custody. The subject was sentenced to life plus 75 years. Deputy Harmon had served with Lee County Sheriff's Department for three months and had been with a neighboring agency as a part-time patrol deputy for one year. He is survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers. In 2021, his brother became the Chief of Police of the Houston Police Department in Mississippi.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
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.
Detention Officer Harmon gave the Lee County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tupelo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detention Officer Harmon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lee County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Casey is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Casey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Casey is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 3 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1998, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1998, 80 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Casey was 20. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Casey had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Casey was 20. 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. Casey had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Casey was 20. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Casey had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.8% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 12.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Lee County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Casey among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
