"This is real tough."
Bay St. Louis Police Chief Toby Schwartz uttered those words as he paid tribute to two of his officers, Sergeant Steven Robin and Officer Branden Estorffe, a graduate of Slidell High School, during a Thursday morning media briefing. Robin and Estorff were shot in the line of duty on Wednesday.
"Both Branden and Steven were trusted colleagues and outstanding officers whose passion was to help others and provide a public service," Schwartz said. "That was evident leading up to their final sacrifice leading up to yesterday's tragedy."
Investigators with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation say Robin and Estorffe were responding to a child welfare call when Amy Brogdon Anderson shot them. According to those investigators, Brogdon opened fire after Robin and Estorffe said they would be calling Child Protective Services. Initially, investigators said Anderson died after she shot herself in the chest. Now, investigators say Robin and Estorffe returned fire after Anderson began shooting. Now, investigators say they are trying to determine if one of the officers' bullets hit her or if she shot herself.
A child in the car with Anderson was not injured.
Schwartz remembered the fallen officers as dedicated lawmen and family men. Schwartz said Robin and Estorffe had a passion for helping others. He says that's what they were trying to do when they were gunned down.
"We must never forget these men, these officers," Schwartz said. "They were sons. They were grandsons. They were brothers. Steven was a husband, a father, a grandfather. And to all of us, they were friends."
Other law enforcement agencies are helping the Bay St. Louis Police Department by responding to calls in the city while members of the BSLPD grieve.
"When we as law enforcement lose our brothers and sisters, it hurts. It hurts bad," Schwartz said. "That's why it's been so important and appreciated. Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Waveland Police Department, and our outside police departments are offering manpower during this time to assist us."
