Found shot near Alcorn/Tippah County line

An off-duty Mississippi Highway patrolman is dead, and a suspect is in custody, officials announced Sunday morning.

State Troopers and local law enforcement agencies responded to Hatchie Bottom, near the Tippah/Alcorn County line, at approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday.

Upon arriving, officers discovered two people suffering from gunshot wounds.

The gunshot victims were identified as Rickie Dale Vick, 38, of Michigan City, and off-duty Trooper Kenneth Joshlin “Josh” Smith, 32, of Walnut.

Vick was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Trooper Smith was mortally wounded and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The suspect has been identified as Troy Anthony Eaton, 43, of Rienzi. He surrendered to law enforcement authorities at approximately 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

Local, state and federal authorities assisted with the search for Eaton.

The investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is ongoing.

Alcorn County Sheriff Ben Caldwell said Smith was a “great trooper and an even better person. He will be missed. We are praying for his family.”