Last Thursday started as a beautiful day. I had a pleasant drive to Carthage to attend a meeting. Everything was good. That quickly changed with a phone call to my wife, Robbin.
I called Robbin to tell her I was on my way home. She told me that there had been a shooting in Summit, and that a police officer had been shot.
About five minutes passed, and I called her back. She answered, “It’s not good; one officer was killed, and another was wounded.” Then she said, “The officer’s name is Floyd. I think his name is Troy Floyd.” That’s when my day went from bad to sad.
I met Troy probably about 25 years ago at his mother’s restaurant, The Oak Tree, in Brookhaven. I was sitting in a booth at The Oak Tree, eating lunch by myself, when this huge young man with a great smile and a loud voice sat down next to me. Not across from me, but next to me, in my booth!
His mother had told him who I was, and he wanted to meet me. Within a few minutes, Troy told me he was a police officer. The way he told me, I could tell he was proud to be a law officer.
Then he told me he knew my brother, Tommy Daughdrill. He told me what a great law officer Tommy was, and what a great guy he was. Then he said, “I loved your brother.” From that day, I had so many good visits with Troy, and always left feeling better. Troy had that kind of personality that left a room brighter than he found it.
The last time I saw Troy was about a month ago. He was between McComb and Summit, outside at a catfish restaurant. As usual, he was talking to everyone who would listen, “holding court.” I came up behind him and poked him in the back with my finger. He turned around, and with a great smile and a huge voice, he greeted me.
We visited for a short time. Then, as usual, he said, “I love you, Brother!” and I said, “I love you, Troy.” I got my food, and went to my truck, feeling better.
Now, here is Troy and Tommy’s tragic connection. My brother, Tommy Daughdrill, was shot and killed on August 26, 1992. He was doing what he loved to do, serving and protecting all of us as a law officer. Yes, as Troy said, Tommy was a great guy and a great law officer. On August 8, 2024, Troy Floyd was shot and killed. He was doing what he loved to do, serving and protecting all of us as a law officer.
Please join me in praying for Troy’s family. Pray for his fellow law officers and co-workers. Please pray for all law officers, firefighters, and their families. They serve and protect us daily.
Troy, you were a great law officer and a great guy. Thank you for protecting and serving all of us, and thank you for making me feel better.
— Jeff Daughdrill, McComb
