Hundreds mourn South MS Deputy Mike Jimerson. ‘Rest easy,’ his final call said
Little Clayton Powell, only 5 years old, stood beside the casket of his grandfather, slain Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael “Mike” Leroy Jimerson.
As law enforcement officers in dress blues changed guard every 10 minutes, Clayton raised his hand in a salute. The line of mourners, 670 or more, wrapped around the sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Biloxi, down the hall and out the front door Friday afternoon before Jimerson’s funeral service.
They were there to pay respects to an officer who laid down his life April 2 in the line of duty. Many were officers, from agencies all over, wearing their dress uniforms and caps. Two Fort Worth officers topped their dress blues with cowboy hats.
Slides played overhead. Mike Jimerson was smiling in the photos that flashed by: a husband with his arm around wife Sheila, a father enjoying his children Michael Jimerson and Paige Powell, Paw Paw with one or more of his four grandchildren in his lap, a deputy horsing around with his colleagues, and friend lounging with his buddies in the cool waters off Horn Island.
He lost his life at age 61 over a noise complaint that erupted in gunfire.
Jimerson was born in Mobile and attended St. Martin High School. He was married for 42 years to his high school sweetheart. Weekends were for his family, but for the last 16 years or so, he left his job at Sparklight during the week and worked night shifts for the sheriff’s office.
Hearts broke over his death, that much was clear from the eulogies.
State representative, sheriff deliver eulogies
State Rep. Zach Grady, a former D’Iberville police officer, told the crowd, “He didn’t just wear the badge, he answered the call behind it: ‘Here I am. Send me.’ “
No words, Grady said, could ease the pain. “But know this,” he added. “His life made a difference. His service mattered, and his legacy will live on.”
Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter wanted everyone to know how much Jimerson meant to his fellow deputies. He shared tributes from a number of deputies. Depending on the deputy’s age, Jimerson was “Mikey J,” “Paw Paw Jimerson,” or, simply, a father figure.
He listened to their problems and shared his philosophy:
- No matter how bad life seems in the moment, someone is feeling worse.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated.
- Even if you are tired and hurting, keep going. Someone needs you.
- Be the light on the darkest day.
“He truly loved and cared for his friends, family and those who served,” Ledbetter said. “The men and women of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department loved Deputy Mike Jimerson, and he loved every one of us.”
His best friend, retired Jackson County Deputy Curtis Spiers, said they were always “peas and carrots,” although, he joked, his wife referred to them as “dumb and dumber,” like the movie.
“Losing MIke the way we did doesn’t feel fair,” Spiers said.
Jimerson’s end of watch acknowledged
A song played: “So Deputy Jimerson, he ran toward the fight while the rest of us slept safe through the night. One more midnight run, one last call to make. He gave it all, so others could see another day.”
At the end of the service, the mourners filed out, leaving the family to say goodbye one last time. The hearse stood out front. Officers lined up on each side of a walkway and the family, after a time, filed out to seats. A bagpiper played Amazing Grace.
An American flag that draped his casket was folded. Sheriff Ledbetter presented it to his widow. And then a microphone crackled as trees swayed in the distance under the sun.
It was his final dispatch call, the End of Watch: “Deputy Mike Jimerson, rest easy. We have the watch from here.”
Staff Writer Margaret Baker contributed to this report.
This story was originally published April 10, 2026 at 4:38 PM.
