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Wilburn “Bud” May

Gender : Male

Age : 66

Race : White

Date : 01/29/2025

Location : Unknown

City : Unknown

County : Smith

State : Mississippi

Agency : Smith County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On January 29, 2025, 66-year-old Wilburn May, a former police officer from Meridian PD in Mississippi, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a standoff with law enforcement in Smith County.The Smith County Sheriff's Department, alongside the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, arrived at May's residence near Taylorsville to serve an arrest warrant related to multiple sex-related crimes involving a minor in Lauderdale County. Upon contact, May emerged with a firearm, leading to a standoff with USA marshals and Smith County deputies. Despite negotiation attempts, he ultimately took his own life. He was pronounced dead at his home.The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is currently reviewing the incident. May's identity was initially withheld pending family notification but has since been confirmed by officials. He had been an officer with Meridian PD and an assistant police chief of the Newton Police Department.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wdam.com/video/2025/01/30/suspect-dies-during-standoff/
https://www.wdam.com/2025/01/29/child-sex-crime-suspect-dies-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-during-standoff-smith-co/ 
https://www.wtok.com/content/news/First-Responder-Officer-Bud-May-501756131.html