Mississippi Police Chief Is Sacked Over a 'Racist Moment' as Slain Toddler's Family Demands Answers

Leaders of the northern Mississippi city of Senatobia fired their Mississippi police chief on 1 September 2026. The dismissal came days after journalists reported allegations that Chief Harold Vanderford routinely used degrading language and racist slurs against the Black community in his private text messages.

Vanderford submitted his resignation letter earlier that day. However, the city's Board of Aldermen voted to reject it and instead terminated him.

Vanderford had faced heavy criticism following the fatal shooting of a one-year-old Black child, Kohen Wiley, on 14 June 2026. A Senatobia police officer opened fire on a vehicle while responding to a shoplifting call at a Walmart on US Highway 51.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said officers attempted to stop the vehicle but that the driver drove towards them, nearly striking one. The family has disputed the official account.

Senatobia Alderman Chris McConnell confirmed the latest developments in a formal statement. 'We did not accept Vanderford's resignation and fired him,' McConnell said. He added that the department will be led by Lt. Angelica Maze until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Senatobia Terminates Mississippi Police Chief Over Texts

Vanderford took over as police chief in October 2025. At the time, the board described his leadership style was firm, fair, and focused. They noted he was dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism within the department.

In August 2026, reporters for Mississippi Today, Verite News, and The New York Times reported that Vanderford had allegedly used a racist slur several times. The journalists reported that these slurs appeared in a series of 10 text conversations dating to the previous summer.

Reports Detail Racist Messages Sent By Chief

In one message, the chief reportedly stated he was having a 'racist moment.' In another text, Vanderford reportedly wrote that he had almost beaten a Black person and a white woman a few minutes prior.

Some of his acquaintances confirmed the phone number belonged to him. On 31 August 2026, at-large Alderman Demetrius Garrett told the media he would move to immediately terminate Vanderford 'if these allegations are true.' Garrett officially made the motion to terminate Vanderford on 1 September 2026.

Family Demands Answers After Fatal Toddler Shooting

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents the Wiley family, said firing Vanderford over the reported text messages was the right decision. 'But Kohen Wiley's family still deserves answers,' Crump wrote on X. 'What happened to their 1-year-old baby? Nearly 3 months later, they still haven't seen the footage.'

Vanderford did not respond to the reporting outlets' repeated requests for comment.

He stated the racist language that cost Vanderford his job is exactly why the family cannot simply be told to trust the process. Crump demanded that officials release the video and give the family the facts they are owed.

Meanwhile, the family alleged that Vanderford had not offered private condolences since the June shooting. Kohen Wiley was in the Walmart parking lot with his mother and a family friend when an officer opened fire on their vehicle.

Mississippi Bureau Probes Fatal June Walmart Shooting

Crump said the child's mother, who has not been charged with any crime, told him she was trying to alert officers that there was a baby inside the car. 'They fired anyway, leading to the death of an innocent 1-year-old. We intend to seek justice for baby Kohen and the life that was stolen from him,' Crump wrote on X at the time.

Following the fatal encounter, the Board of Aldermen placed the officer involved, Sgt. Hunter Foster, on leave two days after the incident. The shooting remains under investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.