Lee County Sheriff's Department, Mississippi
End of Watch Monday, February 2, 2026
Reflections for Deputy Sheriff Richard A. Haggard
God rest your soul, Deputy Haggard. May your family, friends, colleagues, and community find the strength and resolve to carry on in your physical absence and continue to spread the goodness to which you were so selflessly committed. You were among the best humanity has to offer. Your dedication to service and your ultimate sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
Investigator Christopher Port (Ret)
California Highway Patrol, Valley Division MAIT
February 3, 2026
Heavenly Father, God of Life and Death, You are with us from the moment we are conceived to the moment we leave this earthly life. We know from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Chapter 13:1-5, that America’s Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. It is my desire that the family, friends, and comrades of the following Fallen American Peace Officer will find encouragement, hope, comfort and peace from this prayer.
Now, our hearts feel heavy with grief because of the loss of another American Peace Officer that leaves us feeling so alone once again. There are moments when the grief feels overwhelming, and we find it difficult to move forward. But we know You see our pain and feel our loss and sorrow.
Lord God, hold us in Your loving and most capable arms and comfort us with Your presence. Let us feel Your peace in the midst of our heartache and Your quiet assurance that we are not walking this path alone. Wipe away our tears and remind us of the hope we have in You. You are our refuge and our strength, our ever present help in trouble. Teach us how to carry this loss of another American Peace Officer without losing hope. Help us to release our emotional pain into Your merciful and compassionate hands, trusting that You are working even in our most difficult moments. When our grief feels too much to bear, fill us with the courage necessary to face each day and the faith to keep moving forward.
Thank You, Lord God, for Your unfailing love and for being the God who sees us, holds us, and walks with us as we endure the wickedness of evil humanity.
In commemorating the death of this fallen hero, help us also to remember that death is not the end. Death does not have the final say but is simply the transition from this earthly life to the heavenly life yet to come. This assurance was guaranteed to all believers upon the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise God! We look forward to that life to come with joy and anticipation.
Lord God, if You are willing, have Your warrior servant, Michael the Archangel, Your Defender and Protector Against Evil, who successfully defeated Satan and his fallen angels in heavenly battle because of his unwavering faith and courage, according to the Book of Revelation Chapter 12:7-9, welcome America’s Fallen Peace Officers into Your Eternal Light and comfort their loved ones and all those left behind who mourn.
Finally, Lord God, we place our trust and sorrow into Your loving and most capable hands and rest in the hope that You will ultimately bring “Beauty from the Ashes”. In Christ Jesus’ mighty and holy Name, and by His Power, Authority, and Sacrificial Blood, I believe and pray. Amen.
Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, NACM
Ordained, Independent Christian Minister of the Gospel
Michael the Archangel Prayer Ministry
“God’s Defender and Protector Against Evil”
Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department
February 3, 2026
RIP Hero. May you forever spend your eternal life with our dear Lord in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with all your loved ones. Our country is now a little less safe without you. Thank you for your service.
HEROES NEVER DIE...
Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon
February 3, 2026
God rest his soul.
Sgt. Robert A. Henne
Jersey City PD/Retired
February 3, 2026
RIP
Assistant Chief Robert Jenkins
North Bay Village PD
February 3, 2026
I am very saddened to hear this news about Deputy Haggard. I met Rick this summer at the School Resource Officer Basic Course in Biloxi, MS and reunited with him this fall at ALERRT training. Deputy Haggard was always ready to give a helping hand in any situation or task. Rick often talked about how much he loved his family and spending time with them. I pray for his community, Friends, Department and most of all his Family that you all can find comfort and healing during this time. I extend my deepest condolences to Rick's family, I thank you for allowing our Law Enforcement community to have him on our team. Deputy Rick Haggard you will be missed! Rest in Peace Brother!
Officer Jeff Conway
Petal School District Police Department
February 3, 2026
Psalm 15
God bless.
Rest in peace brother.
Correctional Officer Paul Schanno
Hennepin County (Minneapolis)-Adult Corrections Facility
February 3, 2026
Lee County Sheriff’s Department,
Please accept my sincere condolences for the recent loss
of Deputy Sheriff Rick Haggard.
Our family is keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Sheriff Walt McNeil
Leon County Sheriff's Office
February 3, 2026
Rest Now Brother
Sgt D.R. Harvey -retired
Maricopa County Sheriffs Office-Az
February 3, 2026
Deputy Haggard, a police officer should be remembered not by how he died but by how he lived! A brave man has left to secure a safe path for the rest of us to follow. Thank you for your commitment to law enforcement, to your family, and the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Our country is a little less safe without you. Rest in Peace, Brother!
Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall
Georges Mills, NH
February 3, 2026
Thank you for your service Deputy Haggard. Your work and dedication will never be forgotten.
Chief Matt Garder
Bland ISD Police Department (Tx)
February 3, 2026
Rest in Peace, Deputy!
Ptl. B L Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake PD OH
February 3, 2026
Prayers are being sent out to the family and friends for the loss of this beautiful soul. Thank you for what you’ve Service blessings to your family
Thank you for your service Mary Gangl
Collegedale Police Department
February 3, 2026
RIP Deputy Sheriff Haggard. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Lee County
Lieutenant Darren Weisse
Tufts University Police
Boston, Ma. 02120
February 3, 2026
Thank you for your service, brother. RIP.
Lieutenant Brian J. Wills II
Oswego County Sheriff's Office
New York
February 3, 2026
Requiescat in Paces
Lieutenant (Retired) Michael O’Connor
Madison, CT PD
February 3, 2026