By Robin Fitzgerald, Sun Herald (Mississippi)
GULFPORT, Mississippi - Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove said injuries from a police pursuit Monday won’t stop him from assisting public safety workers in need of help.
Gary Hargrove suffered a broken rib, bruises and cuts in a head-on collision in D’Iberville while helping a state trooper block the path of a suspect who fled from Gulfport police. Hargrove said he was on his way to an autopsy when he realized officers nearby needed help.
“When I was sworn into office, I took an oath to serve and protect the people of the state of Mississippi,” said Hargrove. “With over 30 years’ experience, I have high respect for law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel. I’m willing to help them if I can.”
Hargrove is a former sheriff’s deputy and firefighter/paramedic. He retired as Gulfport’s district fire chief prior to his election in 1995.
He was treated at a hospital following Monday’s crash, at the end of a pursuit which began in Gulfport and ended on Interstate 110 in D’Iberville. Hargrove was wearing a seat belt, but his air bag didn’t deploy.
“The county was only without coroner services for a matter of minutes,” Hargrove said. “My three deputy coroners, who are well qualified, took over right away. No duties were left unhandled,” he said.
Would he do it again?
“Absolutely,” replied Hargrove.
Gulfport police arrested Joel Steven Miller, 33, of Picayune with possession of a truck stolen from Bogalusa, La., and felony flight.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday added grand larceny and burglary charges. Miller is accused of stealing a church van Nov. 30 from Lakeview Baptist Church on Mississippi 53. The van was recovered in Slidell a day later.
Coroners are more commonly associated with death investigations than police pursuits.
However, “every public safety person that’s worth their salt is a public safety person 24 hours a day,” said Gulfport Fire Chief Pat Sullivan.
“No matter what the situation, everybody with a radio in their vehicle and charged with public safety is kind of duty-bound to help when needed. In my opinion, a coroner is a law enforcement official,” Sullivan said.
Any citizen has the right to assist law enforcement in the pursuit and apprehension of a criminal suspect, said Tom Payne, associate professor criminal justice at the University of Southern Mississippi in Long Beach.
“Gary Hargrove’s been a reserve officer all his life,” Payne said. “I would imagine it’s a natural reaction for someone with his experience to do whatever he can to help.”
Bobby Eleuterius, county supervisor president, said he was more concerned about Hargrove’s safety than damage to the $29,000 Ford Expedition Hargrove was driving.