Mississippi
Service held for fallen deputy: Who was Hinds County Deputy Martin Shields Jr. of Mississippi?
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Tears and laughter flowed freely Sunday at the Jackson Revival Center as family, friends and law enforcement officials from around the state gathered to say their goodbyes to fallen Hinds County Deputy Martin Luther Shields Jr., who was killed Feb. 23.
The celebration of life service for the 37-year-old deputy was held Sunday afternoon, a week after Shields was fatally shot on the evening of Feb. 23 while responding to a domestic dispute call at a home on Midway Road in Terry.
Born on July 14, 1987, Shields dedicated his life to serving his community and protecting his fellow citizens. This was evident in the hundreds of people who showed up to pay their respects, including Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We gather here today not just to mourn the loss of a hero who gave his life in service to his community, but we also come here today to celebrate a life well-lived. (Shields) represents the very best of Mississippi,” Reeves said. “Shields will never be forgotten.”
The family and friends of Shields were led in by a procession of law enforcement officials who entered the sanctuary in a double-file line. They approached the alter where Shields lay in a casket, one side open to reveal his serene face, the other side closed and draped with an American flag, symbolizing his service and sacrifice.
Surrounding his casket were beautiful flowers, a representation of the love and admiration that surrounded Shields inside the sanctuary. Loved ones took their time saying their goodbyes before the casket was closed completely, a moment that was met with tears and sorrow.
Martin was educated in the Jackson Public School District, graduating from Lanier High School in 2006. He attended Hinds Community College before pursuing his true passion in law enforcement at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, graduating in 2016. Martin had an extensive career in law enforcement working at Jackson State University, Jackson Police Department, Ridgeland Police Department and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, where Shields served until his death.
Martin leaves behind his wife, Kristian, and his daughter, Aubrey. Martin also survived his father, Martin Shields Sr., and his mother, Marcie Levy.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said Shields was not only a member of the law enforcement family but a beacon of commitment, a protector and a friend to the communities in which he served.
“Job well done thy faithful servant,” Jones said, directing his comments to the fallen officer. “You will forever be a part of us. May your legacy live on in the many lives that you’ve touched.”
What did people say about Martin Shields Jr.?
Jones was one of several speakers at the service who spoke highly of Shields, not only as a dedicated deputy and a loyal classmate but, most importantly, as a person. Their words painted a picture of a man who was deeply loved and respected by all who knew him.
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said that over the three years employed with the JPD, Shields did not just show up to work but to work hard, serving citizens of Jackson located in Precinct 1 of South Jackson. Wade noted Shields received the “I am COJ (City of Jackson) Award” for his heroic actions in administering NARCAN to an individual, saving their life.
Wade said when Shields accepted the award, Shields stated, “I just get out here to do my job. I really don’t like looking forward to any awards, just making people smile is the best thing that I can do.”
Wade presented a plaque to the family to commemorate Shields’ service to the city of Jackson. Wade also presented to the family a “Shadow Box” containing Shields’ badge and ID from his tenure with Jackson police.
“God bless you, and we will continue to keep you uplifted in our prayers,” Wade said to the family.
Ridgeland Police Corp. Phillip Kendrick fondly recalled working night shift rotations with Shields, a time when the duo was affectionately nicknamed “Bad Boys” by the people they encountered.
“You couldn’t see him without me and vice versa,” Kendrick said.
Hinds County Sgt. Ronnie Hubbard, who supervised Shields for eight months, described him as a highly dependable individual who exemplified the best qualities of wearing a badge. Hubbard said Shields embodied courage, passion and unwavering commitment to being a public servant.
“Your sacrifices will never be forgotten. Rest in peace knowing that your service made a difference,” Hubbard said.
Anthony Brown, Jr. and Robert Jones III recognized as friends of Shields said, “to know Martin is to love him unconditionally.”
Several agencies were in attendance, including the Hattiesburg Police Department, Madison Police Department and Leake County Sheriff’s Office. Pastor Jennifer Biard delivered the eulogy.
A group of monkeys being transported on a Mississippi highway that escaped captivity on Tuesday after the truck carrying them overturned did not carry a dangerous infectious disease, a university has said.
The truck was carrying rhesus monkeys, which typically weigh around 16lb (7.7kg) and are among the most medically studied animals on the planet.
Video shows monkeys crawling through tall grass on the side of Interstate 59 just north of Heidelberg, Mississippi, with wooden crates labeled “live animals” crumpled and strewn about.
The local sheriff’s department initially said the monkeys were carrying diseases including herpes, but Tulane University said in a statement that the monkeys “have not been exposed to any infectious agent”.
All but one of the escaped monkeys were killed, the Jasper county sheriff’s department said in a post on Facebook, warning that the monkeys were “aggressive”.
They were being housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, which routinely provides primates to scientific research organizations, according to the university.
The crash happened about 100 miles (160km) from the state capital of Jackson. It was not clear what caused the truck to overturn.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Mississippi State’s hope of reaching six wins and going to a bowl game this season are on life support.
The Bulldogs have lost their last four games, all SEC games, and in heart-breaking fashion, too. Two of those losses were overtime games and another was lost on last minute interception.
Mississippi State needs a win, not just for its bowl game aspirations, but also to give the fanbase something to cheer about instead of calling for a coaching change.
“One, thank you for the support, the atmosphere and the energy. And Saturday was as good as it gets,” Bulldogs’ coach Jeff Lebby said Monday when asked about what his message to the upset fans. “You’ve all heard me talk about how much I appreciate our community and our connection and the passion, the love that people have for Mississippi State. I love that. That’s one of the greatest things about our university.
“I hate that (the fans are) not getting to enjoy (wins). My hope is that we have the ability to go take care of business and go get a tough, hard win on the road on Saturday. And then come back home to another great crowd.”
Fortunately, Mississippi State’s opponent this week represents the most winnable SEC game left on its schedule, even if Lebby won’t admit that’s what Arkansas is.
“No, not in the least bit,” Lebby said. “We’re playing the best two and six football team in the country this week. They’ve got a quarterback that is elite at everything that he does. They have played really well offensively. Auburn did a really good job defensively the other day, creating some turnovers. Arkansas struggled in the red zone a little bit.
“But their ability to score and play great offensively is very well documented. And then defensively, they’ve played better. They haven’t been great against the run, but they were better this past week.”
But that doesn’t change the fact the odds for the Bulldogs this week are the best they’ll be the rest of the season.
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
Mississippi State: +4.5 (-112)
Arkansas: -4.5 (-108)
Moneyline
Mississippi State: +158
Arkansas: -192
Total
Over: 67.5 (-110)
Under: 67.5 (-110)
Another week of the 2025 Mississippi high school football season has come and gone, and High School On SI has all of the latest computer rankings for each classification as of October 27, 2025.
High School On SI’s formula was created using its own linear algebra-based ranking algorithm inspired by the Colley Bias-Free Ranking Method. Colley’s Method was created by Wes Colley, Ph.D., an astrophysicist at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He devised his algorithm in order to help address the subjectivity and controversy regarding BCS college football selections in the 1990s and early 2000s, using a method that used no subjective variables.
Which teams took the top spot in each division? Here are High School On SI’s latest Mississippi high school football computer rankings, as of October 27, 2025:
1. Calhoun City (7-1)
2. Simmons (7-0)
3. Biggersville (7-2)
4. Stringer (7-2)
5. Nanih Waiya (6-2)
6. Leflore County (6-3)
7. South Delta (7-2)
8. Taylorsville (5-4)
9. Noxapater (5-4)
10. West Tallahatchie (6-2)
11. Bogue Chitto (6-3)
12. Salem (6-2)
13. Ethel (6-3)
14. West Lowndes (4-3)
15. Leake County (4-5)
16. Lumberton (4-4)
17. Byers (5-3)
18. Richton (4-5)
19. Tupelo Christian Prep (5-4)
20. Sebastopol (3-6)
21. Okolona (3-7)
22. Potts Camp (3-4)
23. Shaw (1-6)
24. Falkner (3-5)
25. Vardaman (2-7)
View full Class 1A rankings
1. Wesson (9-0)
2. Baldwyn (8-1)
3. East Webster (8-1)
4. Charleston (5-2)
5. Heidelberg (5-2)
6. Clarkdale (7-2)
7. Bay Springs (6-2)
8. Water Valley (7-2)
9. Loyd Star (8-1)
10. North Side (7-1)
11. Lake (6-3)
12. Myrtle (7-2)
13. Hamilton (6-3)
14. Eupora (6-3)
15. Amite County (6-2)
16. Hatley (6-2)
17. Kemper County (3-4)
18. Mize (3-6)
19. Bruce (6-3)
20. Velma Jackson (4-5)
21. East Marion (4-4)
22. North Forrest (4-5)
23. Enterprise Clarke (2-7)
24. Philadelphia (1-7)
25. Collins (3-5)
View full Class 2A rankings
1. Union (9-0)
2. Raleigh (8-1)
3. Noxubee County (6-3)
4. Kossuth (6-2)
5. West Marion (6-3)
6. Choctaw County (5-4)
7. Magee (6-2)
8. Hazlehurst (4-3)
9. Presbyterian Christian (6-3)
10. Tylertown (6-3)
11. Quitman (5-4)
12. Aberdeen (5-4)
13. Winona (4-4)
14. Belmont (6-3)
15. Seminary (4-5)
16. Yazoo County (5-3)
17. Humphreys County (5-4)
18. Booneville (4-5)
19. North Panola (4-4)
20. Jefferson Davis County (3-5)
21. O’Bannon (5-3)
22. Coahoma County (3-5)
23. Franklin County (4-5)
24. Independence (4-4)
25. Thomas E. Edwards (4-4)
View full Class 3A rankings
1. Columbia (9-0)
2. Senatobia (8-1)
3. Kosciusko (8-1)
4. Louisville (6-2)
5. Clarksdale (6-1)
6. McComb (7-1)
7. North Pontotoc (7-1)
8. Leake Central (7-2)
9. New Albany (7-2)
10. Rosa Fort (6-1)
11. Pass Christian (8-1)
12. Forest (7-2)
13. Corinth (6-2)
14. Itawamba Agricultural (6-2)
15. Poplarville (5-3)
16. Choctaw Central (6-2)
17. Morton (5-3)
18. Greenwood (6-3)
19. Shannon (6-3)
20. Newton County (5-4)
21. West Lauderdale (4-4)
22. Mendenhall (4-4)
23. Greene County (6-3)
24. Forrest County Agricultural (5-3)
25. Richland (5-4)
View full Class 4A rankings
1. West Point (8-0)
2. Brookhaven (6-2)
3. New Hope (6-2)
4. Lanier (9-0)
5. South Jones (7-2)
6. Sumrall (6-3)
7. Holmes County Central (6-3)
8. Cleveland Central (4-3)
9. Lafayette (4-4)
10. Purvis (5-3)
11. Vicksburg (5-3)
12. Stone (5-3)
13. Pontotoc (4-4)
14. Northeast Jones (4-4)
15. Laurel (2-6)
16. Florence (3-5)
17. Natchez (3-5)
18. Vancleave (3-5)
19. Wayne County (2-6)
20. North Pike (1-7)
21. Provine (2-7)
22. East Central (1-7)
23. Caledonia (1-7)
24. Columbus (1-7)
View full Class 5A rankings
1. Picayune (7-1)
2. Warren Central (6-2)
3. Ridgeland (7-1)
4. South Panola (5-3)
5. Grenada (6-2)
6. West Jones (7-2)
7. Lake Cormorant (6-2)
8. Terry (7-1)
9. Hattiesburg (6-2)
10. Callaway (5-4)
11. Center Hill (4-4)
12. Neshoba Central (4-4)
13. Pearl River Central (4-3)
14. Greenville (4-4)
15. Pascagoula (3-5)
16. Saltillo (3-6)
17. Canton (3-5)
18. Hancock (3-5)
19. George County (3-5)
20. Gautier (3-5)
21. Olive Branch (1-7)
22. Forest Hill (1-8)
23. Long Beach (1-7)
24. Jim Hill (1-8)
View full Class 6A rankings
1. Ocean Springs (7-1)
2. Tupelo (8-1)
3. Oxford (7-1)
4. Starkville (6-2)
5. D’Iberville (7-1)
6. Gulfport (6-2)
7. Petal (6-3)
8. Oak Grove (6-3)
9. Germantown (5-3)
10. West Harrison (6-3)
11. Hernando (6-2)
12. Horn Lake (5-3)
13. Northwest Rankin (5-3)
14. DeSoto Central (6-3)
15. St. Martin (6-3)
16. Clinton (4-4)
17. Madison Central (4-4)
18. Brandon (3-5)
19. Pearl (3-5)
20. Southaven (3-5)
21. Biloxi (2-6)
22. Meridian (2-6)
23. Lewisburg (2-6)
24. Harrison Central (1-7)
25. Murrah (1-8)
View full Class 7A rankings
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