Jessie Ragsdale

Jessie Stephon Ragsdale was a man who lived his life to the fullest, known for his creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 23, 1986, to Inez Ragsdale Johnson and Jessie Stephon Cockrell, he was the eldest of three children. Growing up, Jessie was deeply involved in his community at the Easter Temple Church of God in Christ, where he sang in the Sunshine and Youth Choirs. As a student at Provine High School, he was active and athletic, playing on the school's basketball team.

As he matured, Jessie’s interests turned toward music. He developed a passion for writing songs and rapping, with aspirations of one day recording his own album. He channeled his ambition and work ethic into establishing his own landscaping business, carving out a path for himself through hard work. A 36-year-old Black man, Jessie was part of a large, loving family and was survived by his parents, his brother, LeShun Demonta Ragsdale, his sister, Teisha Shantrice Green, and numerous other relatives and friends who cherished him.

The vibrant life Jessie had built was tragically extinguished on Saturday, July 9, 2022. In the early hours of the morning, officers from the Jackson Police Department were called to a parking lot on Suncrest Drive, near the Taco Bell. There, they discovered Jessie Ragsdale deceased. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The specific circumstances that led to the fatal shooting in the parking lot have not been released to the public, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions about his final moments.

The investigation into Jessie Ragsdale's death was launched by the Jackson Police Department. For two years, detectives worked the case, but no arrests were made, and no suspects were publicly identified. The case remained cold, a painful and unresolved chapter for Jessie's family and the Jackson community. The city of Jackson has grappled with a high number of homicides, and Jessie's case became one of many that authorities continued to pursue, seeking justice for the victims and their families.

In July 2024, exactly two years after Jessie was killed, the Jackson Police Department renewed its efforts to solve his murder by turning to the public for help. The department issued a special appeal, asking for any information that could help them identify and locate the suspects responsible for his death. Investigators reiterated the details of the case, hoping to jog someone's memory or encourage a witness to finally come forward with a crucial piece of information that could break the case open.

As of July 2024, the investigation into the murder of Jessie Ragsdale is ongoing. No arrests have been announced, and his killer or killers remain at large. The Jackson Police Department continues to seek tips from the public. Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact the Jackson Police Department at (601) 960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at (601) 355-8477. His family continues to wait for justice, remembering a man who was a son, a brother, and an aspiring artist taken far too soon.