By Katie Stallcup

The Natchez Democrat

BROOKHAVEN — Doug Sullivan, aide to U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, died Wednesday morning, apparently of a heart attack, a spokeswoman for the senator said.

Sullivan was driving to his Jackson office when he pulled over, apparently feeling ill, spokeswoman Margaret McPhillips said.

Sullivan was found by another driver, she said.

“It was very unexpected and sudden,” McPhillips said.

Sullivan was Sen. Cochran’s liaison for Mississippi. He met with community members about their needs and relayed the information back to the senator, McPhillips said.

Sullivan did a lot to help Natchez and Adams County with economic endeavors, such as the proposed Rentech plant, County Supervisors President Darryl Grennell said.

“He was truly a friend to Natchez-Adams County,” Grennell said. “When we had industrial prospects come in, he would meet with them on behalf of Sen. Cochran. He had a genuine concern and interest in Adams County.”

“He was the first person we talked with in the Rentech project to get us going forward,” Economic Development Chairman Woody Allen said. “Every project we’ve had, he’s pretty much been involved with in some manner.”

Sullivan, 69, commuted daily to Jackson from his home in Brookhaven, according to Cochran’s office. He was the former mayor of Brookhaven and a former football coach at Brookhaven High School.

Sullivan coached county board attorney Bob Latham in high school in Eupora.

“He was a great guy,” Latham said. “He had a tremendous effect (on the area). He constantly stayed in touch with our local boards asking what Sen. Cochran’s office could to help Southwest Mississippi.”

Sullivan attended and played football at Delta State University.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, and four children.