DuckSouth.com

Conservation Officer Mst. Sgt. Michael Andrews, 43, of Tylertown was killed last night when his pickup truck ran off the road as he was responding to a headlighting call, according to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Andrews, a nine-year veteran with the agency, received a call about 7 p.m. from the Walthall County Sheriff's Department concerning headlighting deer north of Tylertown.

Andrews was on Harveytown Road when he lost control of his vehicle on the rain-slick highway, ran off the road, and struck a pine tree.

"This is a sad day for our agency," said T. J. Jennings, director of law enforcement, wildlife, and fisheries. "Our heart-felt sympathy and prayers go out to Officer Andrews' family."

Andrews leaves behind his wife, Tonya, and two children ages 16 and 11 years.

Please include him and his family in your Prayers.

A sad day indeed.

Very sad! I hope every one keeps the Andrews family in their prayers during this sad time. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." ISAIAH 41:10.

Sorry to hear that. Those guys have a tough job with little reward, heck most of the do for the love of the outdoors and resources. Everyone keep officer Andrews and his family in your prayers. As a matter of fact the next time you see a DWFP officer thank them for the job they are doing keeping it safe for us to be out in the woods and waters of this great state.

It is truely a sad day when someone who has dedicated their life to public service meets their death because of that service. I'm very thankful to see the posts here about being grateful for officers who are out there protecting us and our resources. I have been a police officer here in SC for 23 years and have, at times, been discouraged by they element of society that we are dealing with. I just wanted you to know that the posts here are an encouragement to me and all those who serve. Thanks!

In my younger years, I got the opportunity to ride with some of these guys. They go out, usually alone, at night, in the back rural woods trying to catch some drunk redneck at 2am that has a loaded weapon in his hands... I have complained my share about an unpleasant encounter with one of these guys, but they have a thankless job -- trying to protect the sport we all love.

How many of us have a real chance of losing our lives every day we go to work....

Hats off to a fallen hero.

These guys have some guts! Police officers never know what they're going to encounter, but Game Wardens know that whoever they come across has a loaded gun. Hats off to you guys out there. Our prayers are with the family.

I met Mike just this year. Right off you could tell he was a good guy. A very tragic loss.

Sorry to hear that something of this nature happened. His family will be in our prayers. You fellas are right on, in that these gentlemen have an extremely dangerous and thankless job. Keep this in mind during your encounters with em.

I have been a Game Warden for 27 years for the State of South Carolina and have seen several officers die in auto crashs. Each one hurts because it takes a special man to do the job we do. Low pay and little gratitude. But we love what we do and would not do anything else. I no I would not. My heart goes out to the Family and may God look after them.


Chuck Dial
1st.Sgt SCDNR