BOONEVILLE, MS—Law enforcement across northeast Mississippi is mourning the sudden and unexpected death of Anthony Anderson, 61.
Anderson was in his fourth year as police chief at Northeast Mississippi Community College. A long-time supporter of Tiger athletics, he was watching the Lady Tigers playing in a first-round playoff game inside the Bonner Arnold Coliseum on Saturday, March 9, when he suffered a medical emergency.
“Chief Anthony Anderson’s untimely departure reminds us that even the strongest among us are not immune to life’s fragility,” said Northeast President Ricky G. Ford. “His dedication to safety, service, and community will be deeply missed but forever cherished in the hearts of those he protected and inspired.”
The school is expected to name an interim chief in the coming days. Until then, Assistant Chief Melissa Pearson will continue overseeing the operation of the department and its eight full-time and eight part-time officers.
A veteran officer, Anderson spent 24 years in law enforcement, working his way up through the ranks as both a policeman and a deputy before settling on the Booneville campus in late 2014 as the assistant police chief. The job of a peace officer on a small campus was a lot more laid back but Anderson quickly adapted.
“This is challenging, but I love it. We are very fortunate that there is very little criminal activity,” Anderson said in the summer of 2021 after being named chief following the retirement of longtime chief Randy Baxter. “We get to serve all the students, whether it is unlocking cars, jumping off vehicles or safety walks late at night to escort students back to their dorms.
“There are a lot of people from all walks of life and different backgrounds. We deal with a lot of diversity, all in one arena.”
Protecting and serving the students was the theme of one of Anderson’s last official acts as chief. Last week, before the students left for spring break, Anderson organized a two-day car inspection. Officers checked everything from oil and coolant levels to tire pressure and tread depth to make sure the students' transportation was as reliable as possible.
Funeral services for Anderson are being handled through Serenity Funeral Home in New Albany. Visitation will be held Friday, March 15, from 3-6 p.m. at the funeral home’s chapel on Coulter Drive. The funeral will be Saturday, March 16, at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Highway 15 in New Albany.
Anderson served as the assistant police chief at NEMCC for seven years before being promoted to chief on July 1, 2021.
“His passion for our students and their success was a driving factor in choosing him as our next police chief,” said Northeast President Ricky Ford. “He has been a dedicated law enforcement officer and mentor for many years. We are blessed to have Anthony representing NEMCC and our police department.”
Anderson graduated from the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Center in 2000. He worked for the Union County Sheriff’s Office for more than a decade and was the Verona Police Chief for just less than three years. He joined the department at Northeast in December 2014.
It was a homecoming for Anderson. In the fall of 1981, the East Union graduate helped lead the Tiger basketball team to a state championship as a freshman and a total of 40 wins in two years. He excelled in the classroom as well, earning his associate degree from what was then called Northeast Mississippi Junior College.
Anderson was the son of the late W.M. and Ilene Anderson and married to the former Connie Smith. Together, the pair had three children, Anna, Ebony and William, who is also in law enforcement, and two grandchildren, Kydwn and Fallyn.
Anderson and his wife are previous members of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church and current members of Ecru Second Baptist Church, where Anderson served as a deacon.
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