A Jackson County sheriff’s deputy, Joshua Brashears, died early Friday morning after his car collided with horses on Highway 15 in Stone County while he was driving home from his shift. The accident occurred around 5:25 a.m. near the Harrison County line. Brashears, 45, had served in the sheriff’s office for about two years and was highly respected for his professionalism and compassion. Emergency responders transported him to Memorial Hospital in Biloxi, where he later died.

The incident deeply affected law enforcement agencies and community leaders across the region, prompting many condolences. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter expressed sorrow over the loss, emphasizing the heavy hearts within the department. U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell, a former sheriff, also mourned Brashears’ passing, highlighting the constant risks officers face, even off duty. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.