PRENTISS OFFICER RECALLED AS HARD-WORKING HERO

The first shots of a 21-gun salute for slain Prentiss K-9 Police Officer
Ron Jones ripped over the heads of the more than 250 friends, family and
officers Saturday when Buzz, the black Labrador Retriever who worked with
Jones, began to bark. The dog's cries, as if he were ready for duty or a
game of fetch, mixed in the cool, late-winter air with the anguished sobs
of Jones' family who sat clutching each other near the 29-year-old's coffin.

Jones' funeral brought a close to the tragic several days that have gripped
this town of 1,500 since Wednesday when Jones was shot to death around 11
p.m. while trying to serve a drug search warrant in a Prentiss duplex.

The loss hit Prentiss Mayor Charley Dumas especially hard.

"We're a small community," Dumas said. "I watched him (Jones) grow up -
through elementary school, junior high, high school. It's been real tough.
We've done a lot of leaning on each other with the family and the City Hall
family. That's really helped and that's helped us pull through this."

Corey J. Maye, 21, of Monticello was held without bond Saturday in the
Forrest County Regional Jail. He is charged with capital murder.

Dumas said there are currently no plans to establish a memorial or fund in
Jones' name, Dumas said.

"There will be something done by the town at a future date at some point,"
Dumas said.

Dumas described Jones as a fun-loving young man who also managed to be a
dedicated, hard-working police officer.

"He's going to be sorely missed," Dumas said. "He'll never be replaced."
Ron Jones' father, Prentiss Police Chief Ronald Jones, was overcome by
grief and unable to comment.

Jefferson Davis County Sheriff Henry McCullum lauded Jones' work ethic and
professionalism.

"He is a hero," McCullum said, remembering Jones. "He was a very
well-mannered young man. One thing about him, that when he spoke to you or
you asked him something he said, 'Yes sir,' or 'No sir.' You don't get that
a lot now."

Law officers from around the state, their badges blackened in mourning for
Jones, gathered in a show of unity for the fallen Prentiss officer. Many
didn't know Jones personally, but his death resonated with them because of
the dangers of their shared profession.

Curtis Keys, a police officer in Griffin, Ga., and a native of Prentiss,
had been home for the holidays when Jones was killed. He attended the
funeral Saturday, wanting to support Jones.

"I had a partner get shot in the line of duty the same way," Keys said.
"Everybody's family in the line of police work."

The tie that binds law enforcement officers together is a strong and
emotional one that cuts across distances and police departments, said
Hattiesburg Assistant Police Chief Jim Kinslow.

"No matter where it is, if you read it in the paper or see it in the news,
you still know what's in their heart, what they stood for, what they
believed in," Kinslow said. "And you know what they were thinking when it
happened."

With Jones' death, Buzz will be retired from duty.