John Schmidt, 65, died on January 2, 2018, after an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Bayside Park, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. First responders found him on West Newtown Street that evening; he was taken to a local medical center and then airlifted to the University Medical Center in New Orleans, where he later died. The death was ruled accidental and no arrests or suspects were sought.

Schmidt had recently joined the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department as a part-time deputy on December 18 and was working toward reserve certification. He previously served with the New Orleans Police Department, was a reserve officer with the Madison, Mississippi Police Department for three years before retiring in 2000, and taught civics and psychology at Archbishop Rummel High School for 16 years.

Did anyone in the Bay St. Louis area know John Schmidt or have information about the circumstances that led to the accident?