MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representative Bounds House Resolution 118 A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND SELFLESS SACRIFICE OF FLIGHT NURSE DUSTIN BRETT POPE, WHO PERISHED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON MARCH 10, 2025. WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal"; and WHEREAS, a native of Neshoba County, Mississippi, born on April 15, 1989, to the union of his parents, Sylvia and Eldon Pope, Dustin Brett Pope, 35, a resident of Philadelphia, Mississippi, was a respected flight nurse and Base Supervisor for AirCare in Columbus who believed in the power of service and family, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay respect to the memory of one who has been called to join the innumerable heavenly caravan; and WHEREAS, a graduate of Neshoba Central High School and the Mississippi University for Women, Dustin's career in public service began in 2010 at Anderson Regional Medical Center, and his innate penchant to help people led him to serve in critical care and emergency departments at multiple Mississippi hospitals; and WHEREAS, having joined UMMC's AirCare team in 2017, Dustin immediately distinguished himself as a skilled clinician and a compassionate caretaker; and WHEREAS, a devout Christian and a beloved presence in the Arlington community, Dustin's faith walk was anchored by his steadfast membership with Macedonia Revival Center; and WHEREAS, Mr. Pope's crowning achievement as a dedicated family man was characterized by the prized moniker as husband to, father of, nurturer and provider for his wife, Tabatha Adcock Pope, and their three children, Lexi, Harper and Rhett, into whose lives he poured every ounce of his being, and with whom he cherished every moment spent sharing the joys of his favorite pastimes as a farmer and nature-loving outdoorsman; and WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow and solemn reverence that the Mississippi House of Representatives mourns the tragic and untimely loss of heroic first responder, Dustin Pope, who valiantly gave his life in the line of duty aboard the AirCare 3, Tail Number N835CS, medical transport helicopter on March 10, 2025, and whose legacy of light, laughter and love touched all who knew him; and WHEREAS, the extraordinary life of Mr. Pope, employed by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Med-Trans Corporation, was a calling to protect, preserve and heal, and the commitment of his life and career to the emergency medical care of others, even at great personal risk, exemplified the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice and public service, characteristics that will forever define his legacy within the emergency medical and first responder community in Mississippi and throughout the nation; and WHEREAS, Dustin shared a devotion to the mission of AirCare: to respond swiftly and expertly when lives hang in the balance, and his final act of devotion, returning from a completed patient transport, was emblematic of his character: selfless, purposeful and courageous; and WHEREAS, though communications with air traffic control ceased moments before the crash, the pilot's final decision to attempt an emergency landing reflected their continued prioritization of safety and professionalism, even in the face of disaster; and WHEREAS, the sacrifice of the AirCare Flight Team is a somber reminder of the risks borne daily by Mississippi's first responders and healthcare heroes, and their loss has profoundly impacted their families, their colleagues at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Med-Trans Corporation and the communities they so faithfully served; and WHEREAS, Governor Tate Reeves, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, Speaker of the House Jason White and countless state and local leaders publicly expressed condolences, emphasizing the enduring bravery, professionalism and public service demonstrated by these men, and recognizing their ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all Mississippians, for which the State of Mississippi is eternally grateful; and WHEREAS, Governor Tate Reeves has issued Executive Order No. 1588, declaring March 17, 2025, as a day of mourning, ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen heroes, stating: "Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes," etching their names into the perpetual history of our state's most courageous public servants; and WHEREAS, we encourage the Pope family to find solace from these words recorded in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God"; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives, to recognize the last full measure of devotion given by Dustin Pope and the AirCare 3 Flight Team, whose courage, character and compassion to go the last mile of the way will never be forgotten: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss, commend the life, and honor the meritorious professional service and selfless sacrifice of Dustin Brett Pope as a fallen crew member of AirCare 3, and extend deepest sympathy and gratitude to his surviving family, colleagues and community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dustin Brett Pope, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Med-Trans Corporation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Bounds
# House Resolution 118
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND SELFLESS SACRIFICE OF FLIGHT NURSE DUSTIN BRETT POPE, WHO PERISHED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON MARCH 10, 2025.
WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal"; and
WHEREAS, a native of Neshoba County, Mississippi, born on April 15, 1989, to the union of his parents, Sylvia and Eldon Pope, Dustin Brett Pope, 35, a resident of Philadelphia, Mississippi, was a respected flight nurse and Base Supervisor for AirCare in Columbus who believed in the power of service and family, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay respect to the memory of one who has been called to join the innumerable heavenly caravan; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Neshoba Central High School and the Mississippi University for Women, Dustin's career in public service began in 2010 at Anderson Regional Medical Center, and his innate penchant to help people led him to serve in critical care and emergency departments at multiple Mississippi hospitals; and
WHEREAS, having joined UMMC's AirCare team in 2017, Dustin immediately distinguished himself as a skilled clinician and a compassionate caretaker; and
WHEREAS, a devout Christian and a beloved presence in the Arlington community, Dustin's faith walk was anchored by his steadfast membership with Macedonia Revival Center; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pope's crowning achievement as a dedicated family man was characterized by the prized moniker as husband to, father of, nurturer and provider for his wife, Tabatha Adcock Pope, and their three children, Lexi, Harper and Rhett, into whose lives he poured every ounce of his being, and with whom he cherished every moment spent sharing the joys of his favorite pastimes as a farmer and nature-loving outdoorsman; and
WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow and solemn reverence that the Mississippi House of Representatives mourns the tragic and untimely loss of heroic first responder, Dustin Pope, who valiantly gave his life in the line of duty aboard the AirCare 3, Tail Number N835CS, medical transport helicopter on March 10, 2025, and whose legacy of light, laughter and love touched all who knew him; and
WHEREAS, the extraordinary life of Mr. Pope, employed by the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Med-Trans Corporation, was a calling to protect, preserve and heal, and the commitment of his life and career to the emergency medical care of others, even at great personal risk, exemplified the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice and public service, characteristics that will forever define his legacy within the emergency medical and first responder community in Mississippi and throughout the nation; and
WHEREAS, Dustin shared a devotion to the mission of AirCare: to respond swiftly and expertly when lives hang in the balance, and his final act of devotion, returning from a completed patient transport, was emblematic of his character: selfless, purposeful and courageous; and
WHEREAS, though communications with air traffic control ceased moments before the crash, the pilot's final decision to attempt an emergency landing reflected their continued prioritization of safety and professionalism, even in the face of disaster; and
WHEREAS, the sacrifice of the AirCare Flight Team is a somber reminder of the risks borne daily by Mississippi's first responders and healthcare heroes, and their loss has profoundly impacted their families, their colleagues at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Med-Trans Corporation and the communities they so faithfully served; and
WHEREAS, Governor Tate Reeves, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, Speaker of the House Jason White and countless state and local leaders publicly expressed condolences, emphasizing the enduring bravery, professionalism and public service demonstrated by these men, and recognizing their ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all Mississippians, for which the State of Mississippi is eternally grateful; and
WHEREAS, Governor Tate Reeves has issued Executive Order No. 1588, declaring March 17, 2025, as a day of mourning, ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen heroes, stating: "Our state will never forget the sacrifice of these heroes," etching their names into the perpetual history of our state's most courageous public servants; and
WHEREAS, we encourage the Pope family to find solace from these words recorded in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God"; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives, to recognize the last full measure of devotion given by Dustin Pope and the AirCare 3 Flight Team, whose courage, character and compassion to go the last mile of the way will never be forgotten:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss, commend the life, and honor the meritorious professional service and selfless sacrifice of Dustin Brett Pope as a fallen crew member of AirCare 3, and extend deepest sympathy and gratitude to his surviving family, colleagues and community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dustin Brett Pope, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Med-Trans Corporation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.