Law enforcement join deputy in grief

Hundreds of law enforcement officers joined Deputy Josh Myers of Samson, Ala., to pay respects to his wife and daughter, who were laid to rest together March 15.

According to media reports at www.wkrg.com and www.wlox.com, they grieved with their comrade while helping to guard the Myers family on their way from Sorrells Fu

neral Home Chapel for burial in Samson, Ala., where Andrea Myers had been visiting with neighbors when she and 19-month-old daughter Corinne were killed. 

Deputy Myers' wife and children, including Ella, 3 months, and Joshua, 4 years, were visiting at the home of relatives of the gunman who also killed four of his relatives that day. Michael Kenneth McLendon gunned down his mother, uncle, cousin, aunt, and then killed himself. 

The funeral for Andrea and Corinne Myers was the second held for the shooting victims of Michael McLendon. The first, for Sonya Lolley Smith, was held Saturday, March 14. 

Photo: www.wkrg.com

Deputy loses wife, daughter in shooting rampage

A Geneva County, Ala., deputy was helping to chase down a gunman March 10 when the same man shot and killed the deputy's wife and 18-month-old daughter.  

Deputy Josh Myers said he was devastated after learning that his wife, Andrea, and his daughter, Corinne, were killed along with several relatives of the gunman's family, according to national and local media outlets.

Reporter Tim Guidera provided information for www.wlox.com. 

The shooter, Michael Kenneth McLendon, had wanted to become a police officer or Marine, but failed at both, law enforcement officials have said.  

The mother and toddler were among 11 victims of the shooting rampage that extended across three cities in southeastern Alabama. 

Andrea Myers was visiting with neighbors in Samson, Ala., when McLendon shot and killed the mother and daughter, Corinne, as well as his own uncle, cousin and nephew as they all sat on a porch. McLendon then went next door and shot his grandmother.

Myers also had her youngest child, 4-month-old Ella, and 4-year-old son Joshua with her at the time. A neighbor saved Ella, who suffered a gunshot to the leg. Joshua had hidden inside the house. 

McLendon already had shot his mother, Lisa McLendon, in the head and set on fire her and the home they shared with her three dogs, which he also killed. McLendon and his mother lived in Kingston, Ala., about 12 miles away from Samson, according to other news reports.  

Deputy Meyers told ABCNEWS.com reporters that someone called him and told him to get home as quickly as possible. 

The deputy had helped surround Michael McLendon at the Reliant Metal Factory in Geneva, where the gunman shot himself in the head and died. 

Law enforcement have not determined the exact reason for the shooting rampage.

Fundraiser to help deputy who lost home

A fundraiser will be held Friday, Feb. 20, to help a Jackson County sheriff's deputy who lost his home during a fire this past week.

During an interview with WLOX-TV reporter Sylvia Hall, deputy Tommy Howard said he and his wife escaped with their lives through a window. He said they lost everything in the fire.

Howard, 72, is also assistant pastor at New Light Baptist Church in Vancleave.  

The fundraiser is expected to begin at 6 p.m. at the church on Burney Road.

Donations to help the family may be made to the Howard Family Fund at any branch of Hancock Bank.

Residents may call 826-3315 for information.