Authorities identify fallen officer in Brandon hostage situation

The officer fatally shot in Brandon during a hostage situation on Thursday has been identified.

On June 1, 2023, at approximately 7:00 a.m., the Madison Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) responded to Brandon, Mississippi to assist other law enforcement agencies with a barricaded subject at a residence in Brandon.

During a subsequent SWAT operation later that morning at the residence, a Madison Police SRT member was fatally wounded by the suspect. The incident is being investigated by the MS Bureau of Investigation.

The fallen officer is identified as Horren Randy Tyler, a 7-year veteran of the Madison Police Department. In addition to being a valued member of the Department’s Special Response Team, Randy Tyler was the Department’s Field Training Coordinator, responsible for overseeing the training and career development of newly hired police officers. He was also a supervisor in the Department’s Narcotics Division.

Prior to working at Madison, Randy Tyler retired as the Chief of Police for the Ridgeland Police Department. Chief Tyler was a graduate of the 228th Session of the F.B.I. National Academy in Quantico, VA and was an active member of the MS Chapter of the F.B.I. National Academy Associates.

Randy will be sorely missed by all of his colleagues, family and friends. The Madison Police Department asks for the community’s support and prayers during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be provided once they have been finalized.