Who was Robert McKeithen? Remembering our fallen hero

The community is still mourning over the loss of one of Biloxi’s very own men in blue.

Robert McKeithen, known to those closest to him as ‘Mac,’ spent the past 24 years serving the community with the Biloxi Police Department. McKeithen didn’t stop helping there, he was known as a mentor by all of his peers. Sergeant Joey Payne said, “Was one of those guys you sit there and he was almost like your big brother that was just a real cool guy. He wanted everyone else to succeed. He would do everything he could to help you succeed and he never judged you.”

His fellow officers say McKeithen’s smiling face and positive attitude will be sorely missed at the Biloxi Police Station. “He always had a smile. He would come into briefing and he was happy. He loved his job and he loved to serve from when he served in the Air Force to when he served at the Biloxi Police Department. He devoted his life to his job and to his family.”

McKeithen’s kindness touched the hearts of many members of the community as evidenced by his growing memorial. “I even saw people when Mac arrested them at the end they shook his hand. He was kind to everyone.”

Days after his tragic death, community members are still pouring in to pay their respects to the fallen police officer. Due to the chance of rain, his vehicle had to be covered up, but that hasn’t stopped people from showing support. You can leave flowers inside of the public safety building. “He never met a stranger and even to the general public, he wasn’t just like that with police officers. I saw him come up to complete strangers in the street and he treated them like he has known them for years and he just met them so that was the type of man Mac was.”