Pascagoula Policeman killed

[Lindaloo]

Pascagoula Police Officer Mike Byrd, Jr. died this morning in a motorcycle accident.

Officials say the son of Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd, Sr. died of massive multiple trauma. He was taken to Singing River Hospital and pronounced dead at 8:30am.

Byrd was on his motorcycle when it collided with another vehicle. The accident forced him off his motorcycle, where he was then struck by a passing truck.

The accident occurred near Chicot Street and Baltimore.

This morning's accident has left the law enforcement community in shock. Ocean Springs Police Chief Kerry Belk has offered manpower to the Pascagoula Police Department as officers deal with this tragedy.

Mike Byrd, Jr. was in another very serious motorcycle accident on New Year's Eve 2004. In that accident, Byrd suffered from a broken jaw, arm and ribs, but eventually made a full recovery.

We'll have the more on this story throughout the day on WLOX-TV and WLOX.com.



His wife just had a baby. He told me he was not going to go back to traffic after his accident last year.

[Janice]

That is so sad. I am so sorry.

[Lindaloo]

[sunny]

OMG - this is just so sad. I used to be close to someone in law enforcement, and I worried constantly that something would happen to him....

[Brent]

How sad...

[MSRobi911]

Linda,

Mike's name is Terry Michael Byrd, he isn't a Junior...his Dad, James Michael Byrd is the Sheriff of Jackson County so it not only has hit the Pascagoula Police Department but the Jackson County Sheriffs Department very hard. It is a sad sad time for Mike and Terry in the loss of their son, especially on the same day that their daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The parents were at the hospital with the birth of the grand-baby when the news came of "Baby Byrd's" or "Little Mike's" accident. Robi got the call because they couldn't get the Sheriff on his link and Robi finally got him and told him and he said he was en route to the scene, it wasn't but a few minutes and Mike called him back and said meet him at the ER at Singing River, Mike walked in and they told him and he walked back out and Robi didn't know what to say. They have been friends for so long its like one of his own being lost. It will be a very large funeral and they are trying to find a place to hold it because none of the funeral homes are equipped to do this and his church, First Methodist in Pascagoula was flooded with Hurricane Katrina.

More later when I find out any arrangements.

Mary

[Cookiely]

I feel so sorry for the family. I know what they are going through. I lost an Uncle to a motorcycle accident last year, and the family is still grieving. Last week my nieces husband was in a bad motorcycle accident. He was planning on going to bike week and had just picked up his motorcycle from being detailed. The fool didn't even have a helmet on. He was very lucky, but he lost almost half his skin. I changed his dressings for a few days. He says he's never getting on a bike again, so maybe something good came from it.

[Lindaloo]

Linda,

Mike's name is Terry Michael Byrd, he isn't a Junior...his Dad, James Michael Byrd is the Sheriff of Jackson County so it not only has hit the Pascagoula Police Department but the Jackson County Sheriffs Department very hard. It is a sad sad time for Mike and Terry in the loss of their son, especially on the same day that their daughter gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The parents were at the hospital with the birth of the grand-baby when the news came of "Baby Byrd's" or "Little Mike's" accident. Robi got the call because they couldn't get the Sheriff on his link and Robi finally got him and told him and he said he was en route to the scene, it wasn't but a few minutes and Mike called him back and said meet him at the ER at Singing River, Mike walked in and they told him and he walked back out and Robi didn't know what to say. They have been friends for so long its like one of his own being lost. It will be a very large funeral and they are trying to find a place to hold it because none of the funeral homes are equipped to do this and his church, First Methodist in Pascagoula was flooded with Hurricane Katrina.

More later when I find out any arrangements.

Mary

I know WLOX got that wrong. I couldn't hardly concentrate at work yesterday when I was called about it.

A Pascagoula detective just told me the same thing about the arrangements. I thought about Robi yesterday and was wondering how he was doing. This has been a blow for all!!

[Stephanie]

I'm so sorry to hear that Lindaloo and Mary!

[bfez1]

Very sad story. Will keep the family in my prayers.

[MSRobi911]

Thanks bfez1 they certainly need them. It is such a sad sad time for them.


The wake is tomorrow night from 5 to 9 at First Baptist Church Pascagoula on Live Oak Street and the Funeral Service will be there Thursday at 10:00 am.


We plan on being there when it starts, if not we will wait forever!

Mary

[southerngale]

That is so sad.

Prayers going out to the family and the whole community...

[MSRobi911]

Dr. Dan Enger was the only Orthopaedic Surgeon in Pascagoula for years and years before my boss, his nephew came in to practice with him. Dr. Enger had a sign hanging on the Orthopaedic Ward that said:


BUY YOUR SON A MOTORCYCLE FOR HIS LAST BIRTHDAY!


He also had one in his office and he meant every word!!!!

Mary

[azsnowman]

My prayers and thoughts go out to the family and the officers.......there is something about a loosing a fellow a "brother", there are no words to describe the feeling.

[Lindaloo]

Dr. Dan Enger was the only Orthopaedic Surgeon in Pascagoula for years and years before my boss, his nephew came in to practice with him. Dr. Enger had a sign hanging on the Orthopaedic Ward that said:


BUY YOUR SON A MOTORCYCLE FOR HIS LAST BIRTHDAY!


He also had one in his office and he meant every word!!!!

Mary

IMO those Harley's are too heavy! My friend Cindy Jenkins with Pascagoula turned one over and it took both of us to stand it back up. Obviously he loved riding the traffic motorcycle. He was almost killed and got back on it after he told us at Bill Holcombs he was not getting back on one.

It is going to be a a very sad time for Pascagoula, civilians included.

[j]

I cringe everytime I read one of these stories...but then I climb right back on mine.

The majority of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections where we become stealthlike for some reason. I approach every intersection like it could be my last and I think that keeps me on my toes.

I don't know the details of this accident, but if you don't ride, remember we are out there in increasing numbers, and for the most part, are better drivers than we ever were on 4 wheels. All we need is a little help to survive.

[Stephanie]

I cringe everytime I read one of these stories...but then I climb right back on mine.

The majority of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections where we become stealthlike for some reason. I approach every intersection like it could be my last and I think that keeps me on my toes.

I don't know the details of this accident, but if you don't ride, remember we are out there in increasing numbers, and for the most part, are better drivers than we ever were on 4 wheels. All we need is a little help to survive.

AMEN j!!

I worry everytime Marty goes out on his on the weekend. One of his good friends was in an accident this past August on his motorcycle and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

[j]

Different States have bumper stickers to try to drive home the point we are out there. Here is SC's:


This is Minnesota's(which I like):

[george_r_1961]

Its sad to lose a police officer under ANY circimstances. We have lost a few darn good ones here. As far as motorcycles go I was on one once and had a little mishap and ended up with a broken rib along with cuts and bruises. Never again.

[Stephanie]

Those are good bumper stickers j!