Friday, Feb. 26, TUPD Officer Corporal Martinus Mitchum, 38, was fatally shot and killed while working a security detail at George Washington Carver High School in New Orleans. The shooting occurred following a dispute between John Shallerhorn and a school staff person. Mitchum attempted to deescalate the situation between the two individuals and was fatally shot as a result. Mitchum died on the scene. Shallerhorn was arrested by the New Orleans Police Department for first-degree murder of a police officer and armed robbery.

Mitchum, also known as Mitch, was a TUPD officer for four years. Before joining TUPD, Mitchum was briefly employed by the Loyola University Police Department. He was a Field Training Officer, responsible for training and evaluating newer police officers. 

Mitchum was originally from Detroit. He was a member of NOBLE, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 

The Hullabaloo reached out to TUPD for comment. 

“Corporal Mitchum was a true police professional in every sense,” Chief of Police Kirk Bouyelas said.  “He loved protecting and serving both the Tulane and New Orleans community. Corporal Mitchum paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. He will forever be remembered for that love and sacrifice.”