Published: November 11, 2009 08:48 am      

Officer dies on duty; law enforcement turn out for funeral

A “cardiac event” claimed the life of Kosciusko Police Officer Joe Fulton, 45, early Sunday morning while on duty. The cause of death was determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Law enforcement officials from the area and the state led the processional to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

“His death is a terrible loss to the police department and our community,” Adams said. “He will be missed by all.”

According to a Kosciusko Police release, Fulton attempted to make a traffic stop on East Jefferson Extension early Sunday morning. Luther “Trey” Bell III, 18, did not stop and Fulton continued into the county onto Stonewall Road.

On that county road near Ethel, Officer Fulton’s vehicle left the road and crashed during the pursuit of Bell due to the “cardiac event,” Adams said.

After being unable to reach the on-duty officer, officers Mark Hill and Sgt. David White found him.

With the help of a citizen, Fulton was removed from the car and medical attention was provided.

Bell was later taken into custody and charged with fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer.

“The City of Kosciusko is saddened at the loss of Officer Joe Fulton. Officer Fulton always displayed professionalism in all his duties as a police officer and he will be greatly missed,” Mayor Jimmy Cockroft said. “On behalf of the Board of Aldermen, and the employees of the City, our prayers go out to his wife Karen, her children and the entire Fulton family.”

“I would like to thank all involved in helping with this tragic event,” he said. Those who helped include Mississippi Highway Patrol, Attala County Sheriff’s Department, Attala County Fire Department, Med-Stat, the LEAPS Association, Attala County Coroner Sam Bell, E-911 Department and others.

Fulton was an officer with the KPD for about two years and is survived by his wife, Karen, and her children.

Services were Tuesday with burial Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. Culpepper Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.