A man lost his life on Friday, December 5, after a utility pole snapped and live wires fell during an alleged copper theft attempt near Medical Plaza on Greenhill Place, according to Jackson police. The victim was discovered beneath the fallen lines around 4:30 p.m. and was declared dead at the scene. Initial investigations by police and fire crews suggest that the man’s fatal fall was a result of a failed attempt to climb the wooden pole to access copper wiring.
The case has garnered additional attention due to the fact that the man was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his death. Detectives utilized this device to confirm his identity, as he was found without any form of identification. Authorities have noted that copper thefts have been a significant burden on utilities and first responders, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident and whether any other individuals were involved.
The Hinds County coroner’s office is currently handling the death investigation protocols and the notification of the next of kin. Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Greenhill Place shortly after the initial report of an electrocution. The first 911 call described an elderly woman lying on the ground beneath a wire. However, upon arrival, police, firefighters, and homicide detectives determined that the victim was a man, dressed in women’s clothing, lying beneath electrical lines from a broken pole.
Detective Tommie Brown, a public information officer, provided a brief account of the incident, stating that the pole broke, causing the victim to fall and become entangled in the wire, which subsequently electrocuted him and ignited a fire. Crews maintained a safe distance until power technicians could de-energize the line before approaching the body.
The victim, who was not carrying any identification, was wearing an ankle monitor, indicating that he was under court supervision. Detectives used monitoring records to verify his identity. On Wednesday, December 10, police identified the man as 34-year-old Russell Houston of Jackson. The interim Hinds County coroner reported that Houston suffered severe burns and a broken leg, injuries consistent with a fall and electrocution. Authorities confirmed that no utility workers or bystanders were injured during the incident.
The incident reportedly began when Houston attempted to climb the pole to strip copper wiring. The wooden pole broke, causing him to fall to the ground as energized lines fell on him. Firefighters, mobile crime investigators, and the coroner responded to the scene alongside police. Officials initially treated the scene as an unidentified death due to the lack of identification and initial confusion over the caller’s description.
Jackson officials have noted that wire thefts, particularly those targeting copper for resale, continue to damage infrastructure and create hazardous situations for first responders. In recent years, law enforcement agencies across central Mississippi have reported an increase in thefts from streetlights, HVAC units, and utility sites, leading to calls for scrap dealers to verify sellers’ documentation.
As of Friday, December 12, the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are awaiting full reports from the coroner and any monitoring records tied to Houston’s ankle device. The next significant step in the investigation will be the release of the coroner’s report and any subsequent statements from Jackson police early next week.