Corinth police had only four days to get ready for the biggest security job the city has ever handled. Police Chief Landon Tucker says it worked because local, state and federal agencies pulled together. President Donald Trump’s rally at the Crossroads Arena on Monday, Oct. 26, drew thousands, and the chief says the department still answered its regular calls throughout the day.
Corinth Police Got Four Days’ Notice
Tucker told the Daily Corinthian that the department learned of the presidential visit around lunchtime the Wednesday before the rally. From then on, officers and staff worked early mornings and late nights to plan security, traffic and parking around the arena.
“We’ve got work to do,” Tucker recalled thinking when the news came. He said the department had never handled an event of this size: “This was a first for us.”
About 40 Officers and Several Partner Agencies
The chief estimated that about 40 Corinth officers were on duty for the event. He called it “all hands on deck.”
Several other agencies worked alongside the city department:
Alcorn County Sheriff’s Department: Tucker thanked Sheriff Ben Caldwell and called the coordination between the two agencies “top notch.”
Mississippi Highway Patrol: State troopers helped with the visit.
U.S. Secret Service: Tucker described the agents as professionals who were “awesome to work with.”
The chief said strong working relationships made the difference. In his words, the joint effort was “built on relationships and mutual trust and mutual aid.”
Regular Patrols Continued During the Rally
Even with much of the force at the arena, Corinth police still had a city to cover. “We still have calls coming in,” Tucker said, adding that the department planned contingencies for everything it could think of.
The Daily Corinthian’s report on the department’s work did not mention any incidents or arrests tied to the visit. Tucker said the day “worked out better than I could have imagined.”
Before the rally, the department posted parking and security guidance warning that vehicles parked in prohibited areas could be towed and that arena screening would be at a TSA-level standard.
City Leaders Thank First Responders
Mayor Ralph Dance also praised public safety workers after the event. He told the newspaper the city’s police department is “second to none,” and he thanked the fire department, arena and tourism staff, Main Street and others who helped. Emergency medical crews treated some attendees for heat exhaustion, and staff handed out water to people waiting in line.
Monday’s rally was the third time a sitting president has visited Corinth. Trump urged voters to support U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly ahead of next week’s midterm election.
Tucker said he is “extremely blessed” to work with what he considers some of the greatest men and women in law enforcement.
Jon R Myers is the executive editor of Alcorn County News and the founder of the Mississippi News Group, which he started in 2013 to cover communities across North Mississippi. He also founded the Mississippi Sports Group in 2006, which grew from a single community publication into a statewide network covering high school and college athletics. He reports on local government, public safety, schools and community life in Corinth and Alcorn County, working from public meetings, agency records and interviews with the people involved. Contact him at editor@alcornnewsms.com with news tips or corrections. For a correction, include the article link and supporting source material.
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