Hattiesburg Honors Overdose Victims, Supports Recovery at Annual Tribute

Community event offers healing, remembrance, and hope for those impacted by addiction

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:34am

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray image of a human heart, glowing with a faint red light, conceptually representing the fragility and resilience of those impacted by addiction.A community's collective act of remembrance and hope shines a light on the ongoing battle against the opioid crisis.Hattiesburg Today

An annual event started by a Hattiesburg father after losing his son to an overdose continues to bring together recovery groups and community members to honor lives lost and support those still fighting addiction. The event, called 'A Tribute to Courage and Recovery,' features music, messages of support, and a candlelight vigil where names of those lost are spoken aloud.

Why it matters

Overdose deaths have devastated many communities, and this event provides an important space for grieving, remembrance, and connection for those impacted. It also highlights the ongoing efforts in Hattiesburg to combat addiction, including the installation of a free Narcan vending machine to help save lives.

The details

The event was started over a decade ago by James Moore after he lost his son Jeffrey to an overdose. It brings together people at all stages of recovery, from those just beginning their sobriety journey to those who have been in recovery for years. The event also honored the legacy of Judge Bob Helfrich, a longtime advocate for people struggling with addiction, who passed away recently.

  • The annual 'A Tribute to Courage and Recovery' event has been held for over a decade.
  • This year's event was the first without Judge Bob Helfrich, who passed away recently.

The players

James Moore

A Hattiesburg father who started the annual 'A Tribute to Courage and Recovery' event after losing his son Jeffrey to an overdose.

Shenna Toney

A participant in the event who is 30 days into her sobriety journey.

Cortney Shelton

A participant in the event who is nearly five years sober and emphasizes the importance of treatment for addiction.

Judge Bob Helfrich

A longtime advocate for people struggling with addiction in Hattiesburg who recently passed away.

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What they’re saying

“If he died of anything, heart disease, diabetes, illnesses, there'd be an event every year in this town where other families like us could come together and celebrate his life. But because he died the death of an addict, there's nothing for us.”

— James Moore

“I'm doing this because I'm at a point in my life where I'm just ready for a change. I'm ready to get this, and I really deserve it.”

— Shenna Toney

“It is very saddening that drug addiction has taken the lives of so many. It is a real illness, it's a real disease. And without the proper help and treatment, it ends in death, institutions, and prisons.”

— Cortney Shelton

“He saw the potential in people that people often did not see in themselves. He held them accountable in a way that helped them to get to where they needed to be.”

— James Moore

“Everyone dies twice. Once when their heart stops beating, and again, where the name is spoken aloud for the very last time. This is a chance to come together and say those names again.”

— James Moore

What’s next

Efforts to combat addiction in Hattiesburg continue beyond the annual event, including the installation of a free Narcan vending machine at Fire Station #6 to provide another resource for those struggling with overdose.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates the power of community support and remembrance in the face of the devastating impact of addiction. By honoring those lost and uplifting those in recovery, Hattiesburg is creating a space for healing and hope in the ongoing fight against the overdose crisis.