On May 8, 1993, Potts Camp, Mississippi lost its police chief when 43-year-old Joe M. Thomason was shot in the head during a traffic stop on US Highway 78 at about 3:30 PM. The stop was made for a drunk and reckless driver about two miles from town; the driver produced a .45 caliber handgun and fatally shot Chief Thomason.

The shooter was quickly arrested and identified as a former friend of Thomason’s son who had reportedly spent nights at the Thomason family home. He was charged with capital murder, later pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Chief Thomason was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Vietnam and had 18 years in law enforcement, including previous service with the Verona and Fulton Police Departments. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Does anyone have memories of Chief Thomason or details about the community reaction in Potts Camp at the time?