Panola County Deputy Sheriff Michael Downs apparently took his own life late Friday around midnight at his Pittman Road home east of Batesville.

Fellow deputies, neighbors and family converged on the deputy’s home minutes after the incident, eerily recalling a scene in Batesville 10 months ago when Sheriff Hugh Wayne “Shot” Bright took his own life.

Investigator Tim Douglas of the Mississippi Highway Patrol is in charge of investigation. An autopsy is being performed in Jackson.

Interim Sheriff Otis Griffin said Downs will “truly be missed.”

“There wasn’t anything in this world that I couldn’t have asked him to do that he wouldn’t do. The whole department loved Michael,” Griffin said.

Chief Deputy Andy Estridge described Downs as “One of my best deputies.”

Griffin spoke with his staff following the incident and later said there is always concern after the loss of a fellow officer. He noted that an organization made up of law enforcement volunteers is assisting with counseling.

Law Enforcement Alliance for Peer Support (LEAPS) representative Jimmy McCloud with Batesville Police Department was on the scene with Down’s fellow deputies at the Friday night and early Saturday morning scene.

“A lot of times, people just need to talk,” said McCloud, a certified peer counselor. Volunteer psychologists can be called when needed, McCloud said. Also working as peer counselor is Jimmy Anthony who volunteers through the Sheriff’s Department

Downs is the son of William and Debbie Downs, and has one brother, Justin, all of Pittman Road, Batesville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.