Alan Gurley-Coroner-Monroe County MS

03/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE
Date: March 8, 2026

Incident Date/Time: Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 8:57 PM

Location: Boulevard Drive South near the intersection of Hatley Road, inside the city limits of Amory
The Monroe County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the death of Jake Harrison, age 19, of Amory, following a pedestrian-vehicle accident Saturday night.
At approximately 8:57 PM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Harrison was struck by a vehicle on Boulevard Drive South near the intersection of Hatley Road in Amory. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and transported Harrison to North Mississippi Medical Center-Gilmore in Amory. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, where he passed away in the emergency room at 5:57 AM Sunday morning.
The preliminary cause of death is multiple trauma resulting from injuries sustained in the incident.
The Amory Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home in Amory will be handling arrangements for the Harrison family.

02/03/2026

The work of the Coroner can sometimes seem unclear, but this graphic offers a meaningful look into the process behind every case we handle.

From the initial report to responding on scene, carefully documenting findings, and working to determine the cause and manner of death, each investigation follows a thorough and deliberate process. Every step is important, and every case is approached with care and professionalism.

What this image cannot fully convey is the human side of our work. Beyond the investigative process, we spend significant time supporting families—answering questions, offering guidance, and helping them navigate one of the most difficult moments of their lives.

While no single graphic can capture everything we do, this provides a strong snapshot of the work that takes place behind every case, every day, in service to our community.

01/26/2026

01/26/2026

We at the Monroe County Coroner's Office are proud to continue to serve our county and celebrate 'our week'. Thanks for all your support.
My job is to serve the living by honoring the dead, both as coroner and funeral director.
Remember:
Medicolegal death professionals exist to speak for those who no longer can.
When any death occurs, if it's natural, suddenly, unexpectedly, or under questionable circumstances, we step in to determine what happened, how it happened, and why it matters.
Our work is not abstract - it is foundational to truth, justice, and public trust.
Medicolegal death professionals play a critical role in the criminal justice system.
They
• Conduct independent death investigations
• Preserve and document evidence
• Support criminal investigations
• Provide scientifically grounded cause and manner of death determinations
• Deliver answers to families during the worst moments of their lives
Without this work, crimes could go undetected, injustices could go uncorrected, and public health threats could remain hidden.
Yet this profession often operates quietly - behind the scenes, misunderstood, and largely unrecognized - despite the enormous responsibility it carries.
That is why Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week exists.
And that is why we celebrate it next week, the last week of January - honoring the moment death investigation formally became part of American history.
This coming week is about recognition.
It’s about awareness.
It’s about honoring a profession that protects truth, accountability, and community safety.
And history shows us something important:
When people come together around causes that carry real weight - when professionals, families, agencies, and the public stand together - meaningful change happens.
So this week, we invite you to:
🖤 Learn about our work
Stand with those who serve on society’s hardest days 🖤🖤
Because the final response deserves a first line of support.
And when we come together, we move the needle - together.

01/22/2026

01/12/2026

Yesterday, Sunday, January 11th, I issued death a certificate on the 3rd sheriff I have worked with that has died. Sheriff Pat Patterson, Sheriff Rubel Maxey and now Sheriff Cecil Cantrell.
My condolences and prayers go out to Mrs. Dot Cantrell and all Cecil's family.

Former Monroe County sheriff and justice court judge Cecil Cantrell died Jan. 11. He was 75.