Hancock County deputies, 2 boys honored for heroics

HANCOCK COUNTY -- Sheriff Ricky Adam honored 10 deputies and two young boys Wednesday for heroic actions in the face of danger.

The boys, whose identities are being protected, endured a horrific experience Dec. 18, 2013, Sheriff Ricky Adam said.

They "stared into the face of pure evil," courageously and bravely protecting each other, Adam said, drawing tears from many of the officers and civilians in attendance.

Ages 8 and 5 at the time, the brothers were playing outside their Pearl River County home when James Harold Smith abducted them and took them to a trailer on Mitchell Road in rural Hancock County where he sexually abused both boys and tried to kill the older child.

The 8-year-old managed to escape. With his throat slashed from ear to ear, he ran 500 yards and alerted a neighbor that his younger brother was still captive and in danger, Adam said.

The neighbor called 911. Sgt. Thomas Bethea was the first to arrive, with Lt. Edwin Merwin not far behind. Bethea saw Smith had put the younger boy in his car and was trying to drive away.

Bethea blocked Smith's vehicle as Merwin arrived and provided an additional barricade. Smith jumped out of the car, which allowed Bethea to pull the 5-year-old to safety.

Smith ran into nearby woods, where Commander Jeremy Skinner and Agent Howard O'Gwin chased and eventually found him armed with a metal pipe. The deputies disarmed and arrested him.

For their actions, Bethea and Merwin each received the Life Saving Ribbon. Skinner and O'Gwin each received the Sheriff's Star. The young boys each received the Bravery Medal and were certified as Hancock County sheriff's cadets. Adam also offered them jobs.

"If you ever wish to pursue a crime-fighting career, we welcome you here," the sheriff said.

Former Investigator Steve Saucier received the Sheriff's Star for his work on the investigation that sealed Smith's conviction and 72-year prison sentence for attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of sexual battery.

Other awards:

-- Sgt. Darrell Hughes received the Sheriff's Star

-- Deputy Michael Riggs received the Life Saving Ribbon

-- Deputy Ronald Cobb received the Life Saving Ribbon

-- Retired Deputy William Frazier received the Medal of Valor and Purple Heart

This story was originally published March 3, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Hancock County deputies, 2 boys honored for heroics ."