It’s not just a slogan or a tagline, but a lifestyle.

The phrase was born in the aftermath of a community coming to terms with a tragedy and honoring the victims.

On the night of September 20, 2021, Melissa Walker was traveling home from Booneville with her son, Michael, and daughter, Macie, when their car was struck head-on by a woman. In a split second a family was forever changed and a community was in shock all because one woman chose to get behind the wheel of her car and drive under the influence of substances.

Michael “Mike” Walker was killed in that crash while his mother and sister suffered critical injuries.

The students at Iuka Middle School were faced with how cruel a world could be at an age when life should be about sports, sleepovers, hanging out with friends, and laughing.

The laughter was gone from school the next day. Teachers were navigating unknown waters, comforting the students who were grieving, while grieving for their co-worker and her family.

It has been almost three grueling years, the family has endured waiting to turn the page to a new chapter. But this could not be done until the person whose selfish actions caused everything to change.

Yesterday, Brittany A. Norris, 36 of Counce, Tenn, pleaded guilty to three counts of Aggravated DUI before Judge Michael P. Mills, Jr., at the Tishomingo County Circuit Court.

“We are thankful for the support of our community and the surrounding communities the last three years,” Melissa said. “While we believe the sentence, she received in no way represents true justice, we believe the correct decision was made for our family by accepting the guilty plea.”

Norris was sentenced to 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. She will spend a large portion of her life in prison, but the Walker family will spend the rest of their life living with the physical and emotional scars of her choices.

“Our hope is that she stays in prison as long as possible to help protect another family from the likelihood that she would continue to drive under the influence,” Melissa said. “We also hope that others will see her 40-year sentence, hear our story, and remember that intoxicated driving has very real and devastating consequences. Now, we will move forward, but we will keep Michael’s memory alive through giving and educating others.”

Today, I challenge you to “Love like Mike,” keep his spirit alive and bring joy to someone around you because that’s what Michael did.