Sergeant Andy Thaddeus Bailey, 52, was killed in the line of duty in Jackson, Tennessee, on June 17, 2004. A 31-year department veteran nearing retirement, Bailey was shot after responding to a purse snatching at the Old Hickory Mall that escalated into a vehicle pursuit. The suspect, identified in reports as Michael Hart, drove recklessly, rammed patrol cars and crashed at North Highland Avenue and Orleans. After exiting his vehicle with a pistol, Hart fled on foot and was cornered near a dry cleaners.

As Hart tried to escape he fired through the passenger side window of Bailey’s patrol car, striking the sergeant twice in the abdomen and leg. Bailey was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and died of his wounds; responding officers shot the suspect multiple times and took him into custody. Bailey was a husband and father of two sons and a daughter and was remembered for his long service.

Does anyone have memories of Sergeant Bailey or additional information about the events that morning?