Lee County Sheriff Ends Practice of Deputies Directing Highway School Traffic After Tragic Losses
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has announced an immediate change to how school traffic is handled along local highways following the deaths of two deputies in separate traffic-related incidents.
Sheriff Jim H. Johnson said deputies will no longer be placed in the middle of any highway to direct school traffic. The decision comes after what he described as the tragic loss of two School Resource Officers in prior accidents and another serious close call involving a deputy earlier this week.
Johnson emphasized that the safety of law enforcement personnel must remain the top priority.
In recent years, Lee County has experienced the heartbreaking loss of two deputies who were killed in traffic-related incidents while serving the community. Those tragedies have weighed heavily on the department and highlighted the dangers officers face while working roadways.
The sheriff’s office is now working with the Lee County School District superintendent and staff, along with representatives from the Mississippi Department of Transportation, to develop safer alternatives for managing school drop-off and pick-up traffic.
Officials say the goal is to improve traffic flow while ensuring the safety of deputies, students, school staff, and families.
Parents and guardians are being asked to allow additional time in their schedules for school drop-off and dismissal as new traffic procedures are evaluated and implemented.
Sheriff Johnson thanked the community for its patience and cooperation as agencies collaborate to create safer solutions around Lee County schools.
