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Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten addresses law enforcement and others Wednesday at the Blessing of Law Enforcement. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Bishop Dr. Stanley Searcy Sr. speaks to those gathered Wednesday morning for the Blessing of Law Enforcement before offering prayer. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Bishop Dr. Stanley Searcy Sr. prays for the Miss-Lou's law officers, first responders, leadership and community Wednesday morning in the Adams County Courthouse. (Photo credit Sheriff's Deputy Buddy Frank)

Law enforcement and members of the judiciary and county government listen Wednesday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Many gathered for the Blessing of Law Enforcement Wednesday at the Adams County Courthouse. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Many gathered for the Blessing of Law Enforcement Wednesday at the Adams County Courthouse. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten and many others gathered at the Adams County Courthouse Wednesday morning for the Blessing of Law Enforcement during 2025.

However, prayers were offered for all Miss-Lou elected and appointed officials, law enforcement and first responders.

The new year started tragically for the area with a deadly storm that took a precious young life, house fires, and several shootings.

“We typically do this at the start of every year, but we got busy last year and did not do it. I wasn’t going to let that happen this year,” Patten said.

He said God laid it on his heart to take the time to invite people to gather and pray together.

“Last year was a tough year for all of us…Every time you looked around, something was happening. The supervisors and the city were trying to work on funding and other projects…We had shootings…I’ve never seen the fire department as much as I did last year. Last year was so trying. We don’t need to go into this year with a continuation of last year,” Patten said.

The event usually takes place outside the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. However, because of bitterly cold temperatures, law enforcement officials and officers, first responders and deputies, county supervisors and city aldermen, judges and others from the judicial system — even Concordia Parish Sheriff David Hedrick and Chief Deputy Fred Middleton — filled the Circuit Courtroom in the courthouse.

Bishop Dr. Stanley Searcy Jr., retired New Hope The Vision Center pastor, offered prayer.

“I’ve traveled a good part of this world, and I choose to make Natchez my home for one reason. It’s a historic city, one of the oldest, with great people. To prove this, look at the diversity in this room,” Searcy said.

He began his prayer by thanking God for the first responders, law enforcement officers, judiciary, and all tiers of leadership, who put their families on the back burner and rush to troubled areas when needed.

“I stand here today on behalf of every clergyman and every born-again believer in this city, and I lift up the hands of those who have been called to serve in this community. We stop, oh God, before we go any further and acknowledge all of our ways. We ask that you bless them while they are out there and protect them. Give them vision, knowledge, and understanding of what steps to take next,” Searcy prayed. “It’s going to take you to help us, God, to help this community.”

Patten took the time to acknowledge and thank nearly every person in attendance and point out their contributions to the community.

“I just want y’all to know I love y’all, and we appreciate y’all,” he said.

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