LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY MOURN SLAIN OFFICER MOMENTS OF REFLECTION

Ron Jones' time card was still on the wall of the Prentiss Police and
Fire Department building Thursday. The purple ink showed the slain
officer clocked in shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday. Less than six
hours later he was dead.

Jones, 29, son of the city's chief of police, Ronald Jones, was
killed during a drug raid in which a search warrant was to be served
at two apartments on Mary Street in Prentiss.

"There are people who are always so critical of law enforcement,"
said Mayor Charley Dumas. "I wonder how many of them would put on a
badge and do what they do for what they make?"

Jones was a single man without children. His job was his life,
according to those who knew him.

"Bravery is what I think of when I think of him," said Becky Bridges,
a volunteer firefighter who knew Jones. "They are all brave, but he
just kinda stood out. He always wanted to do what he knew was best
and just wasn't afraid. He was dedicated to his job."

Dispatcher and firefighter Pete Stephens was on duty Wednesday night
and remembers hearing the announcement from the officers over the
radio.

"I heard, 'Officer down, officer down,' and didn't have any idea who
it was or what had happened," he said. "We're so small here, that
everyone who isn't family is still close."

Dumas said that Chief Jones was not present during the raid because
his son told him to stay home and that he could handle the job.

"He feels really guilty now," Dumas said. "He feels like he's
responsible because he sent him there."

Corey Maye, 21, of Monticello is being held in the Forrest County
Regional Jail charged with capital murder in Jones' death.

But as flags throughout the city of Prentiss fly at half staff,
residents are coming to reality with what happened.

"He always did a super job," said Prentiss resident Joe Miller, a former mayor.

"He was a fine fellow and he'll be missed," Miller said. "He always
took care of his job."

Miller's brother, Buster Miller, agreed.

"He (Jones) was raised on John Street and I've known him all his
life," Buster Miller said. "He was good at his job. It's just too bad
this had to happen."

Funeral arrangements for Jones are pending awaiting an autopsy.