Hershel Ladner

Hershel Ladner, whose gregarious spirit, warm basso voice, and steadying nature made him a beloved figure on the Mississippi Coast, died on March 11, 2021 at Gulfport Memorial Hospital after a short battle with lung cancer. He was 72 years old.

For more than twenty-five years he worked for the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, retiring as a sergeant first class. As one of the department's first accident reconstructionists, he taught a generation of troopers the intricacies of piecing together the evidence from traffic accidents. For most of his career he was stationed in Hancock County, where, despite his lack of residency, he became "known as a favorite son," according to fellow trooper David Murtagh. "Those people experienced his caring professionalism and grace and accepted him as their own."

Hershel Otho Ladner was born in Gulfport, Mississippi on April 22, 1948.
He graduated from Gulfport High School and attended the University of Mississippi before joining the Highway Patrol in 1973. "Troopers like Hershel gave us a standard and an example," said Colonel Randy Ginn, Director of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol. After his retirement in 2001, he embarked upon a second career with the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, working as a bailiff for Second Circuit Court Judge Christopher L. Schmidt. He enjoyed working in the same building as his wife, Mary, with whom he had recently celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

On his days off, he could often be found at the family's camp in George County. His father purchased the cabin and the surrounding woods and swampland as a quiet hunting camp in the 1960s, but, as children and grandchildren and later great-grandchildren happily swarmed it, the camp became a kind of festive gathering place that drew friends, family, and fellow troopers to fish fries, elaborate holiday meals, and outings on the white-sand banks of Black Creek.


In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Catherine Anne Miles and Jonathan Miles; a son and daughter-in-law, Phillip Andrew Ladner and Angie Galle Ladner; five grandchildren, McCaslin, Callaghan, and Sloan Miles, and Lily Grace and Judah Blue Ladner; and a sister, Linda Faye Ladner of Gulfport. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel Olon Ladner and Bessie Bufkin Ladner.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 19, 2021 at 4:30 PM, Jones Park, Barksdale Pavilion, Gulfport, MS. Gathering will begin at 4:00 PM. Due to awareness of the COVID 19 pandemic, there will be no receiving line.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to the Land Trust for the Mississippi Coastal Plains. Donations in honor of Hershel can be made at ltmcp.org

RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd. Long Beach is serving the family.

An online obituary may be viewed and memories and photos shared at www.RiemannFamily.com