Hattiesburg, Mississippi police officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate were gunned down during a traffic stop the evening of Saturday, May 9th. This was a tragic loss, not only for the family and friends of these officers, but also for the Hattiesburg community, the State of Mississippi and their fellow law enforcement officers across the nation. 

On Thursday, a candlelight vigil was held to honor the lives of these two officers and to serve as a step toward healing for the Hattiesburg community. Our prayers are with the families of the slain officers, the residents of Hattiesburg and the men and women in law enforcement who serve our communities faithfully and sacrificially. 

DeMarcus Green, 6, participates in a candlelight vigil held in honor of slain Hattiesburg police officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate at the scene of their murders in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Photo by James Edward Bates.

A candlelight vigil was held in honor of slain Hattiesburg police officers Benjamin Deen, left, and Liquori Tate at the scene of their murders in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday, May 14, 2015. The two officers were gunned down during a traffic stop a week earlier. Photo by James Edward Bates.

Kyndall McGee, 8, waves the American flag during a candlelight vigil held in honor of slain Hattiesburg police officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate at the scene of their murders in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Photo by James Edward Bates.

Sharing the light among candles during a vigil held in honor of slain Hattiesburg police officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate at the scene of their murders in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Photo by James Edward Bates.

Residents place candles in remembrance during a vigil held in honor of slain Hattiesburg police officers Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate at the scene of their murders in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Photo by James Edward Bates.

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