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Andy T. Bailey began his law enforcement career with the Jackson Police Department on March 1, 1974.  He was assigned to the Patrol Division where he served until September 16, 1977 when he was transferred to the Traffic Division.   Sometime between July 1, 1981 and March 1, 1984, Bailey was transferred back to the Patrol Division and on June 27, 1990 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Patrol Division.  During his tenure, Sergeant Bailey received numerous letters of commendation and elected Employee of the Month May 1995.

On June 17, 2004 at 9:25 A.M. officers of the Jackson Police Department were engaged in efforts to apprehend an armed and violent suspect who had fired shots in the Old Hickory Mall.  Sergeant Andy Bailey joined the vehicular pursuit of this armed felon.  The suspect led Sergeant Bailey and others on a high-speed pursuit through the street of Jackson during which the sudpect intentionally rammed two policce cars.  The chase terminated only when the suspect lost control of his vehicle and wrecked on West Orleans Street.  Sergeant Bailey stopped beside the suspect.  The suspect exited his vehicle and intentionally fired three shots through the open passenger window of Sergeant Bailey's patrol car mortally wounding him.  Sergeant Andy Bailey despite being gravely wounded exited his car and provided cover for his officers until the suspect was safely in custody.  Sergeant Andy Bailey's heroic and gallant actions above and beyond the call of duty were in the most honorable tradition of the Jackson Police Department.  Sergeant Andy Bailey's actions we recognized by awarding him the Medal of Honor and the Police Cross post-humously.

Sergeant Bailey had given over thirty one years of service and was preparing to retire when he was killed.  He is survived by his wife and two children.