MARSHALL COUNTY, MS -
(WMC-TV) – In a matter of moments, Travis Hood's life turned inside out.
"I'm going to be a father to my 19-year-old brother and my three-year-old brother," said Hood. "We were at Wal-Mart parking lot going in and a shoplifter was coming out. There was a security guard and a policeman trying to take the suspect down," he added.
Off-duty Marshall County Deputy Scott Johnson, Hood's father, went into action.
"Daddy jumped out, got on him, did what he knows how to do until the cops got there," explained Hood.
When they got home, Deputy Johnson started having chest pains.
"Carried my father into the hospital (Alliance HealthCare System). My father died on the table. They revived him. One more time, my father looked up at me and said, 'I love you son' and my father died," Hood said.
He says Johnson's last moments on earth were a testament to his walk in life.
"My dad went down doing what he knew how to do and maybe God had a better plan for him," stated Hood.
Deputy Johnson just adopted little Dalton, after a family friend had trouble taking care of him.
The flag at the Marshall County Justice Center is at half staff and Johnson's stepson is now taking on the role of dad, even as he mourns.
"I just know my dad would kill to see that baby come up to be the man I've been. It's pretty hard. It takes all I've got to hold back, but I've got to be strong for my family," Hood explained.
Now the 22-year-old will be the one planning the family vacations and taking the boys camping and fishing.
Hood said he'll live through Deputy Scott Johnson's legacy.
"Brave man. Bravest man I've ever known," said Hood.
Deputy Johnson will be laid to rest Tuesday at Bethlehem Church of the Lord Jesus Christ on Overton School Road in Potts Camp, Mississippi.
Visitation is from 9 a.m. until Noon, followed by the funeral.
Hood says Scott had a family history of heart disease. He thanks everyone for their prayers.
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Travis Hood is now acting as father to a 19-year-old and three-year-old brothers.
The melee went down in a Wal-Mart Parking Lot.
Off-duty Marshall County Deputy Scott Johnson went into action to stop the shoplifter. When they got home, Johnson started having chest pains.
