MISSISSIPPI — Officer Robert McKeithen, a decorated 24-year Biloxi Police officer who was gunned down Sunday night in front of the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center, was rememebed this morning by Police Chief John Miller as “an unbelievably fine policeman.”
McKeithen, 58, a husband and father of three who was planning to retire at the end of this year, “had a style of his own,” said Miller who earlier in his career had responded to calls with McKeithen. “He just seemed to connect with people. That is not always easy in our business, but he had a knack for connecting with folks and having them connect with him.”
Miller was somber as he spoke during a press conference in front of the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center this morning, just steps away from where McKeithen was fatally shot multiple times Sunday night shortly after 10 p.m.
Miller said the Gulfport Police Department would lead the investigation into McKeithen’s slaying, which Miller called “a murder” by “an animal.”
“The animal that did this is still on the run. and we’re going to do everything within our power to bring him to justice for Robert and his family and for the men and women in the police department and for the citizens of Biloxi,” said Chief Miller.
Sunday night, Biloxi Police officers were joined by officers from neighboring agencies in responding to the incident. Police are continuing to search for the gunman.
The police chief said he does not know why the suspect approached the officer or came to the headquarters. Surveillance photos show the gunman did enter the building.
By noon, $35,000 in rewards had been offered for help in the case: $20,000 from the FBI, $10,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service, and $5,000 from Crimestoppers. Those with information should call the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959.
Miller and Gulfport Police Chief Leonard Papania did not discuss details of the shooting this morning. Miller, instead, chose to speak about McKeithen: “He did a great job. He took care of the citizens of Biloxi for almost 24 years,” the Biloxi chief said. “He was an Air Force veteran. During Katrina, Robert, with four other gentlemen, four other officers, was awarded the medal of valor for saving four special needs children. That was the kind of guy he was. It was a horrible, horrible event he had to go through but he went through it anyway. And they saved those children, who undoubtedly would have perished. I tell you that because I want you to know the kind of man that he was — a fine and decent man, a great policeman and he served the citizens of Biloxi well.”
Robert McKeithen was born in Jackson, Miss. on March 22, 1961. He graduated from Santa Ana (Calif.) High School in 1979 and retired from the U.S. Air Force in July 1995 as a Technical Sergeant at Keesler Air Force Base. In August 1995, he was hired by the Biloxi Police Department as a 3rd Class Patrol Officer. He was promoted to 2nd Class Patrol Officer in August 1997 and to the rank of 1st Class Patrol Officer in August 1998.
Added Miller: “He was a wonderful family man. That’s where he spent all of his time was with his family. He was a gentleman for a policeman. He was very gently. Likeable. He treated people with respect and dignity and we’re going to miss him sorely.”.
McKeithen is survived by his wife, a daughter, two stepsons, and a stepdaughter. He was planning on retiring from the department later this year.
“This is dreadful,” said Mayor Andrew “FoFo Gilich, who on Sunday night was at the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center in the wake of the shooting and consoled McKeithen’s family at Merit Health in Biloxi. “Officer McKeithen dedicated his life to this job and this community, and this a vivid reminder of the dangers that these men and women face in their chosen profession.”
