STARKVILLE, Miss. — An Oktibbeha County sheriff’s deputy has been fired after he was arrested following an incident at a youth baseball tournament in Starkville.
The Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department said it was notified on May 3, 2026, that one of its employees had been arrested by the Starkville Police Department after an incident at Cornerstone Park.
The employee, identified as Lt. Darrell Holley, was terminated effective May 4 by Oktibbeha County Sheriff Shank Phelps.
Holley was reportedly coaching Starkville’s 14U Sports Performance Center Select team during the Grand Slam Mississippi baseball event. Authorities said Holley and Jeff Akins, who was umpiring the tournament, were both arrested in connection with the incident.
Both men were charged with fighting not in self-defense.
“Regardless of the circumstances, the OCSD will not tolerate this type of behavior,” Sheriff Phelps said in a statement. “A baseball field is supposed to be a place of fun and family; fighting has no place there.”
The sheriff’s department said the criminal investigation is being handled exclusively by the Starkville Police Department. Questions regarding the arrest or details of the incident are being directed to Starkville Police.
OCSD said its internal personnel matter is now closed and that the department will have no further comment.
