The Pearl community sets up a memorial to fallen officer Mike WalterPEARL, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The Pearl Police Department is in shock as they mourn the loss of one of their finest while two other officers injured in Tuesday's shooting are recovering Wednesday morning. Investigator Mike Walter was shot-and-killed while serving a warrant at the Colony Park Apartments in Pearl Tuesday, shortly after 11 a.m.
Walter was pronounced dead at UMC after he sustained a gunshot wound to the head. Pearl Police officials said Carnell Gaines Junior fired the fatal shot as officers tried to execute a search warrant at Gaines' residence.
Pearl Police Lieutenant Butch Townsend joined WLBT live on the A.M. Report Wednesday to share his memories of Walter and the emotions his officers are going through. The veteran law enforcer did not mince words about the emotional toll the loss of Walter is having on the force.
"For our particular department, it's our worst day," Townsend said.
"We're a pretty tight knit group," Townsend said. "When something like this happens we close ranks and we try to hold each other up."
Last night the Pearl community rallied around their lawmen holding a vigil in memory of Walter, who is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and daughter.
The injured officers involved are Dave McCarley and Shaun Terwilliger and they are both currently recovering.
According to Townsend, McCarley fired the shot that killed Gaines, the gunman investigators say is responsible for the tragedy.
Townsend added that this is the first officer death in the line of duty in the department's 39 year history.
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