Cops Train For Active Shooter
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WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley Police Department conducted a communications drill Tuesday morning as part of ongoing training for an active shooter situation. Chief Jason Mangrum reported the dispatcher had no prior notice, and the drill was to ensure that communications would be seamless among responding agencies including Yalobusha Emergency Management Agency, Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department, Water Valley Fire Department and other agencies who would have responded if it had been an actual event.
“This drill was up until the point of an actual response, we will have a full-response drill in a simulated environment such as a hospital, school or factory later this summer,” the chief added.
Mangrum also reported the following arrests in the city:
• Richard Rowsey, 62, of Water Valley was arrested for DUI, first offense, on May 29 after city officers were called to assist a state agency. Mangrum reported Rowsey was initially stopped for careless driving. After detecting the odor on an intoxicating beverage, a DUI investigation was launched that led to the arrest.
• Carrie Hervey, 69, of Water Valley was arrested for DUI, first offense, on May 27 at a driver’s safety checkpoint. The chief reported that Hervey’s vehicle struck a garbage can on the side of the road as she approached the checkpoint. Officers detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage inside the vehicle and also observed alcoholic beverages in the vehicle.
• Tammy Payne, 54, of Oxford was arrested for felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute at a driver’s safety checkpoint on Blackmur Drive on May 15. Mangrum reported officers found an estimated 88 grams of alleged marijuana inside her vehicle. During the investigation, officers also determined that Payne had smoked some of the products she was allegedly trying to sell. She was also charged with DUI – other.
• Cefus Shaw, Jr., 68, was arrested for aggravated assault on May 30 after officers responded to a dispute at the Gore Circle trailer park. Mangrum reported the victim had been struck by a large stick in the face and neck area. Shaw left the scene but responding officers located him in the city. He led them on a brief, low-speed pursuit to his home in Rolling Hills where he was arrested. The victim was treated and released from Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford.
• Candice Sims, 39, of Courtland was arrested for attempted felony motor vehicle taking on May 23. Derick Short, 40, of Sardis was also arrested in the same incident for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Short was also on probation for a Panola County conviction.
Mangrum reported officers responded to a parking lot on Main Street after receiving a report that “someone was messing with a vehicle.” The vehicle had no registration and the suspect claimed said it was her car and she was trying to get it cranked to move it.
When the suspects returned to the vehicle later in the day, officers had obtained information about the actual owner of the vehicle.
“We questioned her and determined she did not own the vehicle and was allegedly attempting to steal it,” Mangrum explained. He also noted that the owner of the vehicle operates a business in the vicinity and leaves the vehicle in the parking lot for extended periods.
Mangrum said the suspect told officers that she had conducted a Google search and claimed that if you put your name and vehicle on an abandoned vehicle, you can take possession after five days.
“This obviously is not correct,” the chief stressed.
