Lt. Michael Anthony Boutte, 57, was killed in the line of duty on February 1, 2021, in the Necaise area near Perkinston, Mississippi. Boutte, an eight-year veteran of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and a U.S. Air Force veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm, responded to a 911 report of a man threatening suicide on Caesar Necaise Road. As he exited his patrol vehicle he was struck by gunfire and later died at a New Orleans hospital.

A second deputy who arrived at the scene exchanged gunfire with the shooter and wounded him. The suspect was taken to a hospital and then into custody. The suspect later said he had been trying to provoke officers into killing him in an apparent suicide by cop attempt; charges were filed in connection with Boutte’s death and the shootings of the other people at the scene.

Boutte is remembered as a compassionate officer with an ever-present smile. If anyone witnessed the events on Caesar Necaise Road that day or has information relevant to the investigation, please come forward.