Local News
Bodies of Missing 8-Year-Old RaShad Jackson and 26-year-old Stephon Gardner Recovered from Midfield Rock Quarry
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The bodies of two family members who went missing while fishing at a rock quarry in Midfield on Saturday have been recovered, officials confirmed Sunday.
Midfield Mayor Gary Richardson identified the victims as 8-year-old Rashad Jackson and his 26-year-old cousin, Stephon Gardner, both residents of Midfield. The child’s body was recovered first, followed shortly by the discovery of Gardner’s remains.
Specialized dive teams from the Hoover Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office resumed search efforts around 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
Their operations had been paused the night before due to darkness, though sonar-equipped boats continued scanning the water throughout the night.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., sonar detected an object at a depth of 82 feet, prompting divers to concentrate their efforts in that area.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) also returned to assist at approximately 8:30 a.m. as recovery operations continued at the private quarry site, located along 1550 Hartman Industrial Boulevard near the Holcim Birmingham Slag Plant.
The emergency response began Saturday at 5:04 p.m. after a 911 call reported a person had fallen into the water near Bessemer Avenue and Myrtle Avenue.
The address was later updated to the Midfield industrial site, a location known for unauthorized recreational use despite being private property.
BFRS Battalion Chief Clay Hendon said first responders learned that Rashad had fallen into the quarry while fishing. Gardner, his adult cousin, jumped in after him in an attempt to rescue the boy. Tragically, neither of them resurfaced.
“There were witnesses at the scene, but all of them left before law enforcement arrived,” Hendon said. He added that some witnesses reportedly entered the water to try to help but were unsuccessful.
The area where the incident occurred features a steep drop of approximately 10 feet from the ledge to the water, with depths reaching up to 30 feet in some sections.
Hendon explained that while surface visibility in the quarry water is relatively clear, it becomes significantly darker and more difficult to navigate below the surface.
By 7:15 p.m. Sunday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office had deployed both dive teams and drones to assist in the ongoing efforts.
Authorities acknowledged early on that the operation had transitioned from a rescue to a recovery mission due to the amount of time the victims had been submerged.
Numerous family members and friends remained at the scene throughout the day, many visibly distraught as divers worked to bring closure to the tragic incident.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drownings remains ongoing.
Local News
Three Killed in Highway 61 Crash Near Walls, Mississippi; Victims Identified as Latasha Dodson, Eddie Dodson, and Tamenshia Ford
WALLS, Mississippi — Three people were killed in a serious collision Wednesday evening near U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls, leaving multiple families grieving and a community mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 8:04 p.m. and involved a 2021 Honda Accord and another vehicle driven by 27-year-old Da’Quarius M. Burton of Memphis, Tennessee.
Authorities identified the three people who died inside the Honda Accord as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake
- Eddie L. Dodson, 41, of Byhalia
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash also left two people injured. Da’Quarius M. Burton, who was driving the other vehicle, survived the collision, as did a fourth occupant of the Honda Accord whose identity has not yet been released.
Both survivors were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Officials have not provided an update on their conditions.
The circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
The tragedy has also deeply affected local law enforcement and public service communities. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one of its juvenile detention officers was among those who died in the crash. Another employee was seriously injured.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office remembered its fallen employee as a respected and beloved member of the team who demonstrated kindness, compassion, and dedication to the young people entrusted to their care.
The department also recognized the lasting difference the employee made through their work and the positive influence they had on others.
Officials have not publicly identified which of the three victims worked for the Sheriff’s Office.
The Walls Police Department also confirmed that one of its patrol officers was involved in the collision. However, the department has not clarified the officer’s condition or released additional information about the circumstances surrounding their involvement.
The crash has therefore brought grief and concern to several public safety agencies, including the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and the Walls Police Department.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash near Highway 61 and Church Road. Authorities have not released a determination about what caused the vehicles to collide.
Further information may become available as investigators review the circumstances of the incident and complete their work.
The deaths of Latasha N. Dodson, Eddie L. Dodson, and Tamenshia R. Ford represent an enormous loss for their families, friends, and everyone who knew them.
Three individuals from different communities have now been lost in a single devastating incident. Their loved ones are left to face the difficult days ahead while holding on to the memories they shared.
The loss has also been felt by colleagues and members of the local public safety community, particularly those mourning the juvenile detention officer remembered for compassion and dedication to young people.
During this painful time, thoughts are with the families of all three victims, the injured survivors, and the employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office and Walls Police Department.
May Latasha N. Dodson, Eddie L. Dodson, and Tamenshia R. Ford rest in peace.