RIPLEY - A memorial to two Tippah County law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty more than 60 years apart will be dedicated Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Tippah County Sheriff's Department.

The public is invited to witness the placing of two wreathes on the gray granite memorial outside the Sheriff's Department in memory of Tippah deputy DeWayne Crenshaw and Constable Ola Crum, who were both shot to death.

Crenshaw, 62, was slain before dawn Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 at a residence on County Road 500 northeast of Ripley. Crum, 50, was killed Saturday, July 5, 1947 at a residence about three miles east of Blue Mountain. Both men were killed while responding to pre-dawn disturbance calls.

Crenhaw's widow, Jane Crenshaw, as well as Crum's grandson Ola Thomas, will be present for the ceremony. There will be an invocation from Bro. Tim Wilbanks, and Ripley Middle School 8th grader Grace Ann Elliott will sing the National Anthem and Amazing Grace. Sheriff Karl Gaillard will speak, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol Honor Guard will help recognize the two fallen officers.

Sens. Eric Powell and Bill Stone, who represent this area, will offer remarks. The two senators co-sponsored the DeWayne Crenshaw Act, which outlaws chemicals used in bath salts that can be used to get high. Franklin Fitzpatrick, 26, of Pontotoc, who is awaiting trial on a capital murder charge in Crenshaw's shooting, was believed to have been high on the salts when he shot the deputy.

The man charged with shooting Crum was convicted of the crime and served time for it.

Bert Conely will play Taps on a bugle. There will be a reception afterward in the Justice Court courtroom hosted by the Blue Mountain chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

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hank.wiesner@journalinc.com

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