Domestic dispute reported at homicide scene 10 days ago

A Hinds County Sheriff's Deputy and his wife were found dead in their Rankin County home Wednesday.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said his deputies responded to a call from a neighbor who feared something bad had happened at the home of Chris and Amber Smith at 126 Caledonian Blvd.

The caller said that the Smiths' two children came to their home and told them that the father may have shot the mother.

One of the children told deputies that she heard the parents arguing. The parents went into the master bedroom, locked the door and then two gunshots were heard, according to Bailey's description of the 911 call.

The bodies of the couple were found in the bedroom with gunshot wounds. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

Makinzi Williams, 9, and Breckyn Smith, 4, were placed in the care of their grandmother. Chris Smith was Williams' stepfather and the biological father to the 4-year-old.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis said Smith joined the ranks in February 2004. He was part of a special ops unit in narcotics. Smith had not reported any domestic issues to his supervisor or chain of command.

"We've never had a problem out of him," Lewis said. "He was very astute...and loved what he did. It's not a good day for the Hinds County Sheriff's Office, not a good day for law enforcement, period. We're asking everybody to respect the family, pray for the family and honor their request as they prepare to bury an individual."

Bailey said that 10 days ago, deputies responded to a non-violent domestic call to the residence. That was the only call they received.