Neshoba sheriff injured after deadly shootout

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Dec. 10, 2003
PHILADELPHIA The wife of longtime Neshoba County Sheriff Glen Waddell said today that she is ready for her husband's long career in law enforcement to end after he survived Tuesday's scare.
Waddell, who will retire at the end of the month after 20 years as sheriff, was shot in the hand and his deputy was shot in the nose during a shootout that left the lone gunman, Jessie Culberson, 66, dead.
Waddell's wife, Sarah, said it was the first time her husband had been shot during his nearly 30-year law enforcement career.
Sarah said she sat in the emergency room at Neshoba County General Hospital on Tuesday and joked with Larry Myers, who was elected last month to replace her husband.
Sarah said her husband was scheduled to return to the hospital today for more treatment on his thumb that was injured in the shootout Tuesday afternoon at Culberson's home in the Stallo community.
Neshoba County Coroner Allen Collins said Culberson was pronounced dead at 4:24 p.m. in the emergency room after suffering a fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Waddell and Deputy Brad Stewart, who was shot in the nose, were treated and released from the hospital on Tuesday.
Culberson, who was supposed to appear before a grand jury in November on charges of aggravated assault on an officer, had reportedly been firing a gun at neighbors for several days, Sheriff Waddell said.
The sheriff and several deputies had gone to Culberson's home to see if they could find probable cause to enter the property and arrest him, the sheriff said.
In July, Culberson allegedly attacked Sheriff Waddell and a deputy with a baseball bat.
Sarah Waddell, 58, and Glen Waddell, 63, have been married for more than 40 years. The couple has two children and five grandchildren. Sarah said she's just relieved her husband is alive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.