• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Suspect accused of killing Mississippi police officer in custody

Dante Marquez Bender is also accused of fatally shooting an unidentified woman

Dante Marquez Bender

Dante Marquez Bender (Mississippi Bureau of Investigation)

June 10, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

UPDATE

June 10, 2022, 11:00 a.m.

MERIDIAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said a man accused of killing Meridian Police Officer Kennis Croom has been captured, according to WAPT.

Dante Bender, 31, was arrested Friday morning in Ackerman in Choctaw County by members of a U.S. Marshal Service task force.

Croom was originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and once worked for the Jackson Police Department. Chief James Davis and JPD extended condolences to Croom’s family, friends and the Meridian Police Department.

“To the family of Officer Croom, I am praying for your strength at this time of immense sorrow. I know there are no words that can ease your pain. I will pray daily that you find solace in his memory; he will truly be missed, he is a hero forever,” Davis said in a statement. “I also want to extend condolences to the young woman who had her life taken away from her in this senseless act of violence.”

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones worked with Croom during their time at JPD Precinct 4.

“I last spoke with Kennis in April after he sent me a message wanting to ask me a question. I can remember picking up the phone and immediately calling him, because we’d not spoken in a while and I wanted to make sure he was good and answer whatever questions he had,” Jones said in a Facebook post. “We are forever thankful and grateful for his service and we are thankful to his family for their sacrifices by sharing Kennis with various communities to serve. May God be with you all during this difficult time.”


June 10, 2022, 7:58 a.m.

MERIDIAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said law enforcement officers are looking for a man accused of gunning down a Meridian police officer as well as a woman, according to reports.

MBI said Officer Kennis Croom and an unidentified woman were found fatally shot about 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The deadly shootings occurred on 51st Avenue in Meridian near the Alabama border, WAPT reported.

Croom was shot and killed after responding to a domestic violence call, Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler told the Meridian Star. The woman also died in the shooting, according to Cobler.

Kennis Croom
Officer Kennis Croom (Screenshot WAPT)

The manhunt remains underway as of early Friday morning, MBI confirmed.

Dante Marquez Bender, 31, is identified by law enforcement authorities as the suspect in the homicides. He is believed to be armed and dangerous and driving a 2004 black Nissan Armada with a tag that reads “IMANI,” Fox News reported.

Dante Marquez Bender
Dante Marquez Bender (Mississippi Bureau of Investigation)

Bender was last seen at 2408 51st Avenue in Meridian at approximately 5:36 p.m.- the time and place of the shooting – and was wearing a purple sweatshirt and purple sweatpants.

He is believed to be in the area of Interstates 59 and 20.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Dante Marquez BenderKennis CroomMeridianMeridian Police DepartmentmississippiMississippi Bureau of Investigation
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

K9 Exo

Mississippi police K9 shot and killed by fleeing suspect

June 24, 2022
James Lavelle Walley

Former paramedic sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping patients in back of ambulance

June 22, 2022
Kennis Croom

Mississippi officer gunned down while responding to call of domestic violence, suspect captured after manhunt

June 10, 2022
Jacob Blair Scott

Man who faked suicide to avoid child rape charges sentenced to 85 years in prison

June 6, 2022
Charles Stewart Jr

Mississippi police officer responds to shooting to discover her son is the homicide victim

January 4, 2022
Brandy Littrell

Mississippi suspect arrested after Lyft driver kidnapped, made to crawl in woods before getting shot 7 times

November 4, 2021
Load More

Latest Articles

Christopher M Flores

Well-known California coach arrested for sexually assaulting minors, police say

August 12, 2022
NASCAR

NASCAR goes woke, stops race team from honoring police

August 12, 2022
North Carolina deputy

North Carolina Deputy deputy shot and killed

August 12, 2022
Marshawn Lynch

Bodycam video shows police pull non-compliant Marshawn Lynch from car during DUI arrest

August 11, 2022
Carla Jefferson

Cop-hating Florida woman calls police 11,000 times in one year to bash LEOs

August 11, 2022
Seara Burton

Indiana police officer in ‘very critical condition, fighting for her life,’ following shooting during traffic stop

August 11, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

NASCAR

NASCAR goes woke, stops race team from honoring police

August 12, 2022
North Carolina deputy

North Carolina Deputy deputy shot and killed

August 12, 2022
Marshawn Lynch

Bodycam video shows police pull non-compliant Marshawn Lynch from car during DUI arrest

August 11, 2022
Carla Jefferson

Cop-hating Florida woman calls police 11,000 times in one year to bash LEOs

August 11, 2022
Seara Burton

Indiana police officer in ‘very critical condition, fighting for her life,’ following shooting during traffic stop

August 11, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com