Incident
Deputy Pettit was shot and killed after responding to a domestic dispute.
Survivors
Deputy Pettit had served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department for five years and was survived by his wife and two 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.
Deputy Sheriff Pettit gave the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Pettit.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Larkin is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Larkin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larkin 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 1981, 1 officer at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1898, with 3.
In 1981, 6 officers in MS were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Larkin was 37. Of the 4 killed feloniously at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36.8 and 41; the middle age was 38. Larkin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Larkin was 37. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Larkin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Larkin was 37. 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. Larkin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larkin was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Larkin had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 14.3% of these deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office; May holds the most, 42.9%. Sundays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 10 deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.9% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Larkin among them.
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William C. Cooper May 18, 1898
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Henry R. Campbell May 18, 1898
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Carter I. Jones May 18, 1898
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William P. Harris
Nov 25, 1912
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Robert E. Dodson
Dec 16, 1936
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Larry Cox
Jun 26, 1970
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Larkin V. Pettit Mar 8, 1981
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Gregory Floyd Medlin
Nov 2, 2003
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Paul A. LeBlanc, Jr.
Dec 7, 2007
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William K. Nichols
Jul 22, 2020
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.





