SENATOBIA — The city of Senatobia, Mississippi fired Police Chief Harold Vanderford on Tuesday. The Senatobia Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to reject his resignation and terminate him instead.

Angelica Maze has been named interim police chief of Senatobia. Maze is Black.

Reports alleged that Vanderford used racist slurs against Black people in private text messages with a colleague. Vanderford submitted a resignation letter on September 1, but the board chose to fire him rather than accept the resignation. We did not accept Vanderford’s resignation and fired him, Alderman Chris McConnell stated regarding the vote.

Ben Crump is representing Kohen Wiley's family. He addressed the recent firing of the police chief in a statement. "Removing [Vanderford] was the right decision, and the Senatobia Board of Aldermen deserves credit for acting. But it does not answer the question Kohen’s family has been asking since June 14: what happened to their baby?" Crump said.

Crump continued to outline the family's demands for transparency. "A 1-year-old was shot and killed by an officer of this department, and nearly three months later his family still has not been allowed to see the footage. The racist language that cost Chief Vanderford his job is exactly why this family cannot simply be told to trust the process. MBI has the footage. Release it, finish the investigation into Sgt Foster, and give this family the facts they have been owed since the day Kohen died," Crump said.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus called on State Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell to take immediate action in Wiley’s death. The group demanded that the state establish a clear point of contact and provide the Wiley family with direct, timely, and ongoing updates about the investigation.

Senatobia Alderman Chris McConnell called for an independent investigation of the police department. He emphasized the need for accountability within the local government structure. "We need answers about departmental leadership, internal culture, the handling of complaints and misconduct, financial practices, and whether the Board has been receiving the information necessary to provide proper oversight. Our citizens deserve a police department they can trust," McConnell said.

Alderman Demetrius Garrett also commented on the board's role in the aftermath of the controversy. I believe the Board has a responsibility to protect the integrity and trust of the Senatobia Police Department. I still believe in unity. But unity does not mean ignoring serious issues it means standing together for what is right," Garrett said."

Patrick Lumumba formed the Senatobia Committee for Accountability and Transparency following Kohen Wiley's death. The committee has joined calls for greater oversight of police actions in the community.

Vanderford's tenure as chief began recently relative to these events. He was appointed police chief on September 29, 2025. This appointment followed the Senatobia Board of Aldermen's decision to decline to reappoint previous police chief Richard Chandler in July 2025.

Senatobia has a population of more than 8,000. The city is about 40 miles south of Memphis. Census data indicates that Senatobia is about 40% Black.

Why It Matters

The firing of Police Chief Vanderford and the appointment of Angelica Maze as interim chief occur against a backdrop of sustained scrutiny of the Senatobia Police Department. The department has been the subject of sustained scrutiny following the fatal shooting of Kohen Wiley in June 2026, according to clarionledger.com. No prior record of this specific incident involving Vanderford or the Senatobia Police Department has been cited in the available documents, but the pattern of incidents involving Black residents has drawn attention from civil rights groups and state legislators.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation continues to process the case file for the shooting of Kohen Wiley. The outcome of that investigation, which will be reviewed by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, will determine whether charges are filed against the officers involved. The demand for the release of body camera footage and the call for an independent investigation highlight the tension between the board's administrative actions and the unresolved questions surrounding the use of lethal force.

Timeline

In 2023, a Senatobia police officer arrested and placed a 10-year-old Black boy in a cell for urinating in public. In 2024, a Senatobia police officer forced a Black woman from her car in front of her children after she parked in a handicap space at Walmart. Notice of Public Briefing of the Mississippi Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights was issued for April 3, 2025.

On June 14, Senatobia police officers fatally shot one-year-old Kohen Wiley while responding to a shoplifting call at Walmart. Officers fired into a vehicle, shooting the driver and killing Kohen Wiley, who was being held in his mother’s arms. The Senatobia Board of Aldermen declined to reappoint previous police chief Richard Chandler in July 2025.

On August 25, the city of Senatobia issued a statement saying Vanderford would continue to serve as police chief. The August 25 statement said Vanderford had appeared before the mayor and board to answer questions about the text messages.

What's New

Later reporting confirms that the Senatobia Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to fire Police Chief Vanderford on 2 September 2026, rejecting his resignation and stating the decision was unanimous. Alderman Chris McConnell stated, 'We did not accept Vanderford’s resignation and fired him.' Additional details indicate that no prior record of this specific incident involving Vanderford or the Senatobia Police Department has been cited in the available documents. However, the department has been the subject of sustained scrutiny following the fatal shooting of Kohen Wiley in June 2026.

Further statements from officials clarify their positions. Alderman Demetrius Garrett said, "I believe the Board has a responsibility to protect the integrity and trust of the Senatobia Police Department. I still believe in unity. But unity does not mean ignoring serious issues it means standing together for what is right." He added, "We need answers about departmental leadership, internal culture, the handling of complaints and misconduct, financial practices, and whether the Board has been receiving the information necessary to provide proper oversight. Our citizens deserve a police department they can trust." Background records show the Senatobia Board of Aldermen declined to reappoint previous police chief Richard Chandler in July 2025, and Vanderford was appointed police chief on September 29, 2025.

Regarding the ongoing probe, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is investigating the shooting of Kohen Wiley. The MBI will process the case, and once the investigation is complete, the case file will be sent to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office for review to determine whether charges will be filed.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the timeline of Vanderford's status as police chief. The Senatobia Board of Aldermen appointment resolution states that Vanderford was appointed police chief on September 29, 2025. In contrast, the City of Senatobia press release dated August 25, 2025, says that on August 25, the city of Senatobia issued a statement saying Vanderford would continue to serve as police chief.

Sources also differ on the nature of the allegations against Vanderford. Meanwhile, reports from The New York Times, Mississippi Today, and Verite News allege that Vanderford used racist slurs against Black people in private text messages with a colleague.