Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Steven K. Gardner was killed in the line of duty on March 23, 1984, near Hazlehurst. Gardner had been with the agency a period reported between four months and one year. He had arrested a man earlier that day; after posting bond the suspect changed vehicles and spent hours searching for the trooper to retaliate.

Around 10:45 p.m. Gardner was parked on the shoulder of Highway 51, inside his patrol car doing paperwork, when the suspect deliberately rammed Gardner’s patrol car. Gardner radioed dispatch reporting a collision and approached the other vehicle to check on its occupant. The man he had arrested then shot Gardner in the chest, the bullet finding a gap between the panels of his protective vest. Mortally wounded, Gardner drew his weapon and returned fire, killing his assailant at the scene. Gardner was survived by his parents; a section of U.S. Highway 51 south of Hazlehurst has been dedicated in his name.

Does anyone have memories of Trooper Gardner or details about that night that could add to the record?