Slain officer brother of woman here

Troy Floyd, the Summit police officer who died in the line of duty last week, was Philadelphia’s Cristi Floyd Montgomery’s brother.

Floyd was shot and killed on Aug. 8 while working a routine checkpoint near West Railroad Avenue in Summit.

The incident occurred when a vehicle approached the checkpoint, and a passenger, later identified as 25-year-old Usher Leonard, opened fire, fatally wounding Floyd.

McComb police officers Tyler Harvey and Joey Roberts were also shot in the exchange of gunfire with the suspect. Both officers survived with non-life-threatening injuries, but Leonard died.

Floyd, a dedicated law enforcement officer with 29 years of service, was known as both a devout Christian and a committed family man, said his sister Cristi, who added that he died doing what he loved.

“The prayer room at church was his favorite place to be,” she said. “He offered hope to criminal suspects while still performing duties as a law enforcement officer. He truly was a witness to all. He had a huge heart, and he loved people and his community.”

Montgomery said that every day he put on his badge, he knew he was risking his life, but he was fearless in protecting and serving. 

“If he came in contact with a deceased person, he would roll out quick, fast, and in a hurry,” she said. “I would always make fun of him because of that and tell him he has it all completely backward.”

Montgomery said that when their mother died last month, he didn’t want her to ride in a hearse, and the funeral home already knew to make the arrangements for his final ride to not be in one either.

“My family is so appreciative of all the overwhelming support during this difficult time,” Montgomery said. 

A public visitation for Floyd was held Tuesday at Bethel Temple Pentecostal Church in Brookhaven, followed by a graveside service in the cemetery. 

Officer Floyd’s work includes MS Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, Federally Law Enforcement Training Center Instructor, Civilian Response to Active Shooter Instructor, Certified School Resource Officer, Certified DARE Instructor, Certified Canine Officer, Interview and Interrogation Training, Raid Planning Training, Drug Interdiction Officer including Motor Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles with Specialized Training with the Mexican Cartels by the DEA, Certified Agent with MS Department of Corrections specializing in High-Risk Offenders and Sex Offenders, FEMA Incident Command, former assistant police chief of Wesson, Drug and Human Trafficking Interdiction Office, ALERRT Active Shooter Instructor, STAR Program Instructor, and a mentor at Camp Shelby for troubled youth. 

She said on Facebook that her brother was a lifelong resident of Lincoln County. “He was truly ‘one of a kind.’ He was a devoted Christian and a career lawman. He wholeheartedly loved protecting and serving. Troy could witness of God’s love for you, quoting scripture, while putting on the handcuffs. 

“His love for people and a call to protect them led him into law enforcement and politics.”

He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1993 and began his career in law enforcement in 1996. 

“As a career lawman, he has proven leadership, strong criminal enforcement, effective crime prevention, and established partnerships in the community and state that has made Lincoln County and the surrounding areas stronger,” she said.