Derrick Couch is a Corporal for the Clarksdale Police Department, he has served as an officer with the department since 2011.

Couch has been a part of the Special Operations, Community Police and Patrol divisions of the Clarksdale Police Department.

Prior to Clarksdale PD, Couch worked for the Tunica County Sheriff’s Department.

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On February 13th,2016, Couch was shot in the head responding to a robbery call.

According to multiple witnesses- two shooters- both wearing masks and one gripping a pistol, walk in into the front door of the Corner Grocery and threatened the lives of the store-owners; The two employees ran out the back door, allowing the two robbers to steal money out of the register and leave the store.

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From an eyewitness and employee, “Two men, two black men came in with masks on with guns and threatened our lives, I’m just really nervous and terrified.

I can’t hardly breathe right now.

My husband and son, I’m kind of worried about them.

Even with all the policeman there, I’m just really scared.”

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While responding to the call, Officer Couch encountered the robbers approximately five blocks away from the crime scene. Upon confrontation, the robbers fired a shot at him, striking him in the head, and left him lying on the street until he was discovered by fellow officers.

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Following this, the police have made public footage of the suspects prior to their entry into the store, aiming to ascertain their identities. Couch was transported by air to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis and is currently listed in critical condition. On February 14th, 2016, both suspects were apprehended by the police. One suspect, accompanied by his father, voluntarily turned himself in, while the other was captured by law enforcement approximately three hours later.

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Currently, Couch remains on a ventilator following surgery to remove one of his eyes and an unsuccessful attempt to remove a projectile from his head.