By Ashley Crutcher
Panola Sheriff deputies intervened to stop a potential suicide after a man had threatened to kill himself July 27.
Deputy Emily Griffin was contacted by Deputy Mark Allen in reference to harassing text messages sent to family members of an Orwood Road resident, claiming the sender murdered the owner of the phone, stating “he’s been dead for 45 minutes.”
Deputy Griffin and Allen responded to the owner’s residence and found the suspect outside the residence heavily intoxicated.
According to the report, the suspect admitted to sending the texts and stated several times that he was going to kill himself when the deputies left.
When Deputy Allen walked back to his unit the suspect pulled a small black handgun from his right pants pocket, according to the report.
Deputy Griffin stated in the report, “I immediately drew my weapon and pointed it at him.”
The suspect placed his gun in his lap after Deputy Griffin ordered him to put the gun down.
Deputy Allen returned and took the gun from the suspect, according to the report. Chief Deputy Chris Franklin was called to the scene.
Upon arrival Chief Deputy Franklin contacted the suspect’s family members and it was decided for the suspect’s safety he would be held at the jail until he could receive the proper care for his mental state.
The Panola County Sheriff’s Office received 43 other reports from July 29 to August 7 which requested assistance from Panola County Deputies.
July 29
• Deputy House responded to an incident on Bates Street and spoke to an individual who stated he was assaulted by a man and woman at his residence.
• Robert Cosby Extension resident reported to Deputy Mark Lott that her ex-boyfriend has been calling and texting her, harassing her.
According to the report, the suspect went to the residence and called the resident trying to get her to come outside because “he was going to finish it”.
The resident stated she didn’t go outside and she told the suspect to leave and not to come back.
• Cotton Plant Road resident reported to Deputy Lott his tag was stolen from his vehicle.
• Deputy House spoke to a Shiloh Road resident who stated that another individual’s dog came to her residence and scratched her car.
July 30
• Deputy Harold Lewis responded to Pocohontas Extension, Sardis in reference to a husband pulling a gun on his wife.
The wife brought their baby to her husband’s grandparent’s house so the husband could see the baby.
According to the report, when the wife got a text the husband snatched the phone from her and became angry when he didn’t know her passcode to see who was texting her and then pulled two guns on his wife, a 9mm and small silver handgun.
The wife stated she has a video of her husband threatening to kill her and that this was not the first time he has threatened her life.
• Belmont Road, Sardis resident reported to Deputy Hailey she was at a wedding and the father of her child asked the child if he wanted to stay with him and he replied yes.
The father stated to the mother she needed to bring his son some clothes.
According to the report, when she told her friends that they needed to go, the father of her child hit her in the lip and above the left eye.
• Deputy House responded to a disturbance on Deer Creek Road and spoke to the resident who stated his son hit him in the head with his fist.
According to the report, the resident had a red spot on the side of his face.
• Crouch Road resident reported to Deputy Lott that the mother of the woman her husband is having an affair with called her and told her not to tell the other woman’s husband about the affair because he is abusive.
The resident stated she told her that she felt the husband needed to know and that whatever happened was not her fault because they are the ones having an affair.
According to the report, the woman’s mother threatened the resident, stating “I will hunt you down and hurt you if you tell her husband and if something happens to my daughter and grandchildren. I will hunt you down and you will be responsible for whatever happens.”
• Deputy Steven McLarty spoke to a Dogwood Drive resident who reported two trimmers missing.
• Deputy Lott was dispatched to Blackjack Road and Highway 6 East for a report of a white Mercury Grand Marquis which was  alleged to have crack cocaine inside.
Deputy Lott and Lieutenant Tucker caught up with the vehicle on Highway 315 near Sardis Lake.
Deputy Lott made the stop and asked the driver for his license and proof of insurance. He stated he didn’t have either.
Deputy Lott ran the driver’s ID and found that the driver had no driver’s license.  
According to the report, Deputy Lott conducted a pat down to ensure the driver didn’t have anything in his possession that was illegal and found a bag with a green leafy substance, allegedly marijuana, in his shoe.
The driver was placed under arrest for driving without a license  and simple possession of marijuana.
Deputy Lott informed the driver that his vehicle would be towed and that he would have to take inventory of his vehicle and asked the driver if there was anything else in the car.
After the suspect denied having anything else in the vehicle Deputy Lott located more alleged marijuana. Once at the Panola County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Lott found a glass pipe with more alleged marijuana in it.
The suspect was charged with driving without a driver’s license, no proof of insurance, simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
July 31
• Deputy Hailey was responding to a domestic violence call on Woodruff Road when dispatch advised that the male subject had a gun in the vehicle.
Deputy Josh Griffin attempted to stop the vehicle but the subject did not stop.
Deputy Griffin turned on his siren in an attempt to stop the subject but he still did not stop. Deputy Hailey went around Deputy Griffin in an attempt to stop the suspect.
According to the report, it appeared that the suspect was going to pull off into a yard to the left and Deputy Hailey turned in an attempt to follow the suspect and the vehicles collided.
• Upon arrival to the domestic violence call on Woodruff Road, Deputy Hailey spoke to the resident who stated she was inside her residence when she heard her 9-year-old grandson screaming that someone was pulling on his momma.
The resident went outside and was told to call the sheriff’s office.
According to the report, the suspect was pulling on another resident and ripped her clothes as she told him to let her go.
The resident stated he came into their yard yelling and cussing and threatened the grandmother.
• Deputy Market spoke to a Deer Creek resident who stated that she believes her mother is a victim of financial and mental abuse.
According to the report, the resident believes a family member is going in her mother’s mailbox and also stated after receiving power of attorney First Security Bank is working with her on the financial issues.
The resident stated that a family member is picking her mother up and getting her to sign credit cards in her name.
August 1
• Deputy Emily Griffin responded to a disturbance on King Road where the resident stated her boyfriend tried forcing his way into her home after they had an argument in the yard.
According to the report, he pushed the resident and her little sister and ran into the woods.
Deputy Griffin Deployed K-9 Abel and tracked the suspect to Dogwood Circle where he turned himself in to Deputy Maurice Market.
• Deputy George Renfroe responded to a disturbance on Oak Acres, Sardis and spoke with the victim who stated she and the suspect got into an argument.
According to the report, the victim stated drugs may be in the camper trailer which was searched with the consent of the victim and suspect and a glass bottle with a clear liquid was located.
Deputy Renfro also located some clear capsules with a brown substance from the victim’s purse.
The evidence was turned over to the Panola County drug task force and the park rangers came and made the suspect remove his camper from the property.
• Dandridge Road, Como resident reported to Lieutenant Mike Davis that somebody took her prescription medication from her home According to the report, there were a lot of people in the house where a funeral wake was being held for family and friends of her brother who had died.
August 2
• Deputy McLarty responded to an auto burglary on Cotton Plant Road, where a black and silver .380 pistol was taken from the middle console of his pick-up truck.
• Deputy Renfroe responded to an auto burglary on Robinson Road and spoke to the resident who stated an unknown person went into his truck and stole $20 to $60 from his wallet.
According to the report, the suspect went through the glove box and left papers in the passenger floorboard and also left the resident’s 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol in the console.
The suspect broke out the driver’s side window to gain entry into the vehicle.
• Meadowview Road resident reported to Lieutenant Willie Harris someone stole her air conditioners from her shed.
According to the report, the suspect has stolen from the residence before and talked the resident into leaving the shed unlocked so he could get fishing poles.
The resident stated she noticed the air conditioners missing when her son asked if he could put one in his camper.
The resident stated she does not wish to file charges on the suspect.
• Deputy Britton Crawford spoke to a Dawn Cove, Courtland resident who reported her Cobra .380 pistol missing.
According to the report, the back door was unlocked and a screen was missing from the rear window.
The resident stated she was having problems with a group of boys near Eureka Road coming onto her property attempting to steal a dirt bike and bicycles.
• Deputy Crawford responded to Dollar General on Pleasant Grove Road for a report of someone shoplifting.
According to the report, the suspects left the scene and Deputy Crawford was unable to locate the suspects.
Deputy Crawford spoke with the assistant manager who stated the three suspects came into the store, filled a cart and then left the store.
According to the report, the assistant manager heard one female suspect tell another male suspect “don’t shoot anyone.” The incident is under further investigation.
•  Deputy Crawford conducted a traffic stop after observing a GMC Tahoe swerving as it traveled east on Pope-Water Valley Road.
The driver told Crawford the car doesn’t steer well.
Deputy Crawford noticed the driver had small restricted pupils.
According to the report, the driver’s license came back as suspended for driving under the influence.
According to the report, after receiving consent to search the vehicle Deputy Crawford found what appeared to be two meth pipes along with a white powder- like substance.
Deputy Crawford called Panola County narcotics officers to the scene.
According to the report, the driver stated there were no narcotics in the vehicle and that he had just used meth that morning.
The driver was taken into custody for DUI second, careless driving and possession of paraphernalia.
• Hadorn Road resident reported to Deputy Crawford when she left her home her iPhone was on the couch but when she returned, it was busted up but still on the couch.
According to the report, the resident stated her window was unlocked and that her ex-boyfriend may have entered the home and broke her phone.
August 3
• Deputy McLarty spoke to the driver of a black Chevy Monte Carlo after making the traffic stop upon noticing the driver side headlight was out.
Deputy McLarty noticed a strong smell of an “intoxicating beverage” coming from the vehicle and also noticed the driver’s eyes were glassy bloodshot.
According to the report, the driver was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.
The driver stated he and his wife got into an argument and he was trying to get home.
After receiving consent, Deputy McLarty searched the vehicle and found a small brown paper with a green leafy substance inside, a clear plastic bag with a green leafy substance inside and a tin Altoids can with a white powder substance inside.
The driver was placed under arrest and transported to Panola County Jail. After registering .15 on a breath test the driver was charged with DUI first and simple possession of marijuana.
• Lieutenant Tucker spoke to a Shiloh Road resident who reported another resident was helping his son straighten up his room when he found a Cobra .380 handgun.
According to the report, the juvenile admitted he and his cousin broke into a neighbor’s home and stole it.
Lieutenant Tucker notified Investigator Jason Chrestman and Major Barry Thompson.
According to the report, the gun has been cleared off of the national crime information center.
August 4
• Ballentine Road resident reported to Lieutenant David Mills some items were missing from his home.
According to the report, someone made entry into his home from the back door and used a metal bar to open the back door.
The resident reported he was missing $7,100 worth of property.
• Deputy Hailey spoke to a Courtland resident who stated two of his sons, ages 15 and 14, were being disorderly and causing trouble.
According to the report, the juveniles won’t go to school and are always fighting.
The resident stated he is afraid for them to be around his other kids and he needs some help with them.
• Pope Crowder Road resident reported to Investigator Danny Beavers that he renewed the tag on his motor home but did not put it on.
According to the report, when the resident went to put the it on his vehicle in July he could not find the tag.
August 5
• Deputy Josh Griffin and Deputy Bill Furniss were checking drivers’ licenses at a checkpoint on Highway 35 north near the Sardis spillway at Highway 315.
According to the report, Deputy Griffin observed a black Ford Ranger driving toward the checkpoint, then making a left turn onto Highway 315 toward the top of the levee.
Deputy Griffin attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle did not stop right away and almost ran over Deputy Griffin, according to the report.
Deputy Bill Furniss pulled his unit behind the vehicle with his blue lights on and the vehicle pulled to the side of the road.
According to the report, Deputy Griffin observed the driver throwing something out of his window.
The driver stepped out of his vehicle ignoring Deputy Griffin’s orders to stay in his vehicle.
According to the report, Deputy Furniss detained the driver as Deputy Griffin observed a clear plastic bag which contained a clear rock-like substance on the floor of the truck.
After further investigation of the vehicle, Deputy Griffin found a plastic cylinder wrapped in electrical tape that had a melted end.
According to the report, Deputy Griffin also found a small tin container holding a cut piece of aluminum with a white substance on it lying in the passenger floor.
Deputy Furniss transported the driver and passenger to the Panola County Jail.
Agent Adrian Kirkwood was notified of the incident.
Reports released from earlier in July
Two reports from early July include a simple assault incident and a disturbance regarding child custody.
On July 11, Deputy Darryl House spoke to a Hammond Hill Road resident who reported her boyfriend assaulted her by hitting her in the face and grabbed her around the neck leaving bruises.
According to the report, the resident had swelling to her face and also stated her boyfriend broke out the driver’s side window of her vehicle before leaving the residence.
July 13, Ward Road, Sardis resident reported to Deputy Emily Griffin that his daughter entered his residence and tried to take her children whom of which he has temporary custody over.
According to the report, the suspect first grabbed her older daughter, but when she refused to go with her she grabbed her three year-old daughter and ran down the driveway.
The resident stated he chased her to the end of the driveway and told her not to leave because the sheriff’s department had been called.
Deputy Griffin stated in the report, “I observed no car seat for the child and the driver didn’t have a valid driver’s license.”
The suspect claimed she has custody of the children but was released from a mental hospital earlier in the day and did not have a permanent residence to take the children to, according to the report.
Deputy Griffin decided it was in the children’s best interest to let them stay with their grandparents for the night and then address the custody issue during business hours.
The suspect refused to comply and continued to argue. Deputy Maurice Market arrived on the scene and stated he dealt with the suspect earlier that day and told her not to return without a deputy.
Deputy Market also stated that the suspect jumped the gate on the driveway and entered the residence without her father present, according to the report.
The suspect was arrested for failure to comply and trespassing.
July 27, Deputy Jeremy Hailey spoke to a Eureka Road resident who stated she was lying on the couch when another resident kicked her in the back of the head, according to the report.

Motor Vehicle Accident Report
July 29
• One car wrecked and overturned on Eureka Road.
• Car hit a deer at intersection of Eureka Road and Pine Lodge Road.
July 30
• Car hit a deer on Chapeltown Road.
July 31
•Two cars collided at Terza One Stop.
August 2
• One car rear-ended another at Pope Country Cafe.
• Two cars collided on a private driveway on Meadow Lane.
• Two cars collided on Woodruff Road.
August 3
• ATV accident occurred on Old Crenshaw Road.
• Material fell off of a trailer and hit a vehicle on Highway 51 North.
August 6
• Car hit a deer on Eureka Road.
• Car ran off of Lovejoy Road, an injury was reported.
August 7
• Debris from a trailer caused damage to a vehicle on Dummyline Road.
• Car had a blowout and hit a tree on Hadorn Road. An injury was reported.