Hancock County deputy succumbs to gunshot wounds after airlifted to NOLA

Posted: Feb 1, 2021 / 05:20 PM AST

Updated: Feb 1, 2021 / 08:29 PM AST

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HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. — The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that the deputy shot during a call on Monday afternoon has died. Sheriff Ricky Adam identified the deputy as Lt. Michael Boutte.

Boutte was airlifted, along with the suspect, to New Orleans for treatment, but the eight-year law enforcement officer and veteran of the U.S. Air Force succumbed to his wounds.

The Hancock County deputy, who also attended the United States Marine Corps Police Academy and served in the reserves in New Orleans, was shot while responding to a disturbance call at a home on Caesar Necaise Road north of Diamondhead.

Sheriff Adam said a second deputy arrived on the scene and shot the suspect who fired at the officer.

We just lost a brave man in the line of duty—Lieutenant Michael Boutte of the Hancock Sheriff’s Dept. His fearless service demonstrates his courage and the outpouring of love demonstrates just how great this loss is. He is a fallen hero. Please pray for the many who loved him. pic.twitter.com/ED48Axvgek
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 2, 2021

“The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office suffered a huge loss today,” Adam wrote in a statement following Boutte’s Death. “Mike was an incredible deputy and more so a fine person. He was a mentor to our younger deputies, and I know he will be greatly missed by his peers. You never saw him without a smile or a positive attitude.

“I can’t begin to describe the heartbreak we are all experiencing right now. My thoughts, prayers and heart go out to his family and loved ones.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations along with their Crime Scene Unit responded to the
scene and will be working the investigation and reviewing the matter for criminal charges.