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David Bruce Ladner
Incident
Trooper Ladner was shot and killed on I-10, in Harrison County, by a suspect who turned out to be wanted in Florida. During the stop Trooper Ladner asked the driver for consent to search the vehicle. The suspect then produced a .38 caliber revolver and shot Trooper Ladner in the chest, knocking him to the ground. He shot him a second time and then stole his service weapon and patrol car. Although mortally wounded, Trooper Ladner was able to flag down a passing motorist, who transported him to a local hospital. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspect was convicted of Trooper Ladner's murder and sentenced to death. He was executed on July 17, 2002. Trooper Ladner had been with the agency for 9 years. He was survived by his wife and three children. A section of US Highway 49, in Harrison County, was dedicated in Trooper Ladner's memory.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Trooper Ladner gave the Mississippi Department of Public Safety 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Ladner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol has lost 28 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 1987, 1 officer at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 1987, 1 officer in MS was killed feloniously, the 70th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 33. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 37; the middle age was 34. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 2.5 years.
David was 33. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
David was 33. 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. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol; February holds the most, 30%. Sundays: 10%.
April holds 7.8% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 35.7% of all 28 deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, David among them.
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Adrian Cole
Sep 8, 1940
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Loma Laine Dyess
Oct 27, 1942
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James Mortimer Barry
Feb 1, 1947
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Cyril J. Reichert
Feb 5, 1947
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James H. Tingle
Sep 7, 1950
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Herbert E. Nixon
Apr 22, 1951
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Carl M. Thach
Jan 15, 1954
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Walter W. Smith
Sep 22, 1955
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Hurfu L. Duckworth
Aug 19, 1959
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Daniel E. Smith
Nov 7, 1959
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Julian Davis
Nov 27, 1963
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Marcus Lamastus
Jul 17, 1965
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Joseph A. Pol
Nov 27, 1965
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Tommy E. Kendall
May 16, 1966
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William Kenny
Dec 21, 1967
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William O. Swindoll
Oct 5, 1968
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Joe Clay
May 27, 1974
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Billy M. Langham
Dec 31, 1981
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George Danny Nash, Jr.
Feb 4, 1983
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Steven K. Gardner
Mar 23, 1984
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James Kenneth Bounds
Oct 21, 1984
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David Bruce Ladner
Apr 12, 1987
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Ralph R. Newell
Oct 28, 1988
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Tommie Earl Owens
Jul 28, 1989
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Bobby L. Wells, Jr.
Jun 27, 1995
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Paul Denham, III
Dec 27, 1999
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Steve Loy Hood
May 29, 2009
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John Martin Harris
May 28, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
