Officer Kennis Winston Croom, a beloved and devoted son, father, brother, uncle, relative, and friend, was killed in the line of duty on Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Meridian, Mississippi at the age of 30 years old. Throughout his career, Officer Croom exhibited a daily dedication to the safety of the public and his fellow officers. His bravery and courage allowed him to make the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Officer Croom was born on July 2, 1991, the fourth of four children, to Rev. Dr. Kelvin Croom and Tracy Croom in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Officer Croom is a 2009 graduate of Paul W. Bryant High School where he lettered in basketball and football. He also played the tuba in the Paul W. Bryant High School Marching Stampede Band.

 

Expressing an interest in policing at an early age, Officer Croom began riding with the Tuscaloosa Police Department as a 16-year-old civilian and later interned with the Tuscaloosa Police Department while a student at Stillman College. Becoming a patrol officer became his passion and in November 2013, at the tender age of 22, he became APOST certified by the State of Alabama and served as a patrol officer with the City of Uniontown, City of Eutaw, and the City of Vance.  In September 2017, he became MPOST certified by the State of Mississippi and served as an officer with the City of Jackson, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, City of Brookhaven, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office and made his final arrest as a patrol officer with the City of Meridian.

 

In 2016, Officer Croom fulfilled his dream to return to college and in 2018, he graduated Magna Cum Laude as a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society from Hinds Community College with an Associate Degree in General Studies. Officer Croom garnered many certifications during his tenure and served as a Crisis Intervention Officer, member of the Special Response Team and was a Narcotics Investigator.

 

He continued his quest for learning public safety at Jackson State University earning a BS in Criminal Justice in 2020, graduating Magna Cum Laude, on the Dean’s List, President’s List, and was a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Officer Croom was currently enrolled in Belhaven University to obtain his MBA in 2023. In April 2022, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brother, to become a member of the Delta Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

 

At an early age, Officer Croom accepted Christ and was baptized at College Hill Missionary Baptist Church where he was the church percussionist under the leadership of his grandfather, Rev. Sylvester Croom, Sr. and father, Rev. Dr. Kelvin Croom.