Photo: Gov. Tate Reeves with DeSoto County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Brock at the Public Safety Summit. (Credit Tate Reeves/Facebook)
May 30, 2025 – Gov. Tate Reeves, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell hosted the Governor’s Public Safety Awards ceremony, held on May 29 at the Sheraton Refuge in Flowood, as part of the third annual Public Safety Summit.
DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brian Brock was among the honorees, named by Gov. Reeves as the state’s First Responder of the Year.
Brock has been widely recognized for his heroic actions in March when he intentionally used his patrol vehicle to stop a wrong-way driver on I-269, preventing potential further casualties.
That incident took place during the event of March 4, when a vehicle, reportedly driven by Tracy Balton, was traveling at nearly 100 mph in the wrong direction on I-269 near Craft Road. Recognizing the imminent danger to other motorists, Brock positioned his vehicle to intercept the oncoming car, resulting in a head-on collision. His decisive action is credited with saving multiple lives.
Brock was taken to a hospital for injuries sustained and was later released to recover at home. The driver of the other vehicle, Tracy Balton, was taken into custody and faces multiple felony charges.
In March, he was honored with legislative resolutions by both the Mississippi Senate (Senate Resolution 93) and House of Representatives (House Resolution 87) for his extraordinary courage. The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors also presented him with a Resolution of Respect that same month.
“In Mississippi, we will always appreciate, support, and have the backs of our law enforcement officers, prosecutors, firefighters and first responders,” said Reeves. “Sergeant Brock is a hero, and I was proud to present him with the First Responder of the Year Award. There’s no doubt that his bravery saved lives. He is a prime example of what it means to protect and serve.”
Other awards presented were as follows:
Investigator Lee Sanders, Madison Police Department (Law Enforcement Officer of the Year)
Battalion Chief Allen Elliot, Pearl Fire Department (Firefighter of the Year)
Assistant District Attorney Jasmine Magee, 2nd Judicial District of Mississippi (Prosecutor of the Year)
