MIKE PLUNKETT JOINS 8CN

I would like to welcome Mike Plunkett on board the 8CN team. Mike will be contributing articles for the site in the coming days, weeks, and hopefully months and years. Welcome aboard Mike

SHANE MOSLEY TALKS TO ME ABOUT HIS FUTURE, HIS SON, PACQUIAO, AND MORE

I caught up with the LEGENDARY Shane Mosley this evening and got his thoughts on his boxing future. Mosley told me this evening that he is taking a very serioius look at hanging up the gloves for good. He told me that age played a major factor in his performance Vs. Canelo Alvarez. Shane also talked to me about his son, Shane Mosley Jr, a 165 lb middleweight that will soon go pro. Check out the Podcast with one of the sports greatest, Shane Mosley. Go HERE

MEMORIAL DAY MEANS A LOT TO THE COONEY FAMILY

My family has a tradition to serve our great nation. This is a collage of my family who have served, and currently serving in our military. The big photo is my dad Mac. Pictured from top to bottom on the right are my Uncle's Buster and Maury, myself, and my Nephew Brendan, currently serving in the Marine Corps.

BRET MICHAELS BAND INVADES BILOXI, MS

As he always does, Pete Evick (guitarist Bret Michaels Band) every Memorial Day weekend put me and Shannon on the BMB guest list. The band ROCKED The Hard Rock Cafe in Biloxi, MS last night in front of a packed house. Pete, drummer of BMB Lucky Chucky, myself, Shannon, and my good friends Pat and his wife Becci wiped out some cocktails after the show. Here's a few photos of the evening. Great times and BIG thanks to Pete Evick.

FORMER MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP JERMAIN TAYLOR BEING ACCUSED OF RAPE

Reports out of Maumelle, Arkansas are that former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor is being investigated for allegedly raping a 42 year old prostitute at a hotel. I'm currently chasing the details on this story and will update soon. Let's not jump to conclusions on this one. Jermain Taylor has been a good guy for as long as I have known him and it's fair to let the facts come out before people go too crazy. I'll update soon.

TNA IMPACT INVADES JACKSON, MS

As usual, when TNA comes to town the people get a great show. This was the case again this evening at the Jackson Convention Center in Jackson, MS. Wrestling legends Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Jeff Hardy, and Mr Anderson were all on hand and put together an electrifying night of wrestling. I had the pleasure of meeting Rob Van Dam after his match. I also ran into Kurt Angle and talked a little NHL hockey and of course wrestling.

PROUD DADDY

So yesterday was one of those days that makes a person count their blessing. After a busy work day, I scrambled across town and watched my awesome 11 yr old graduate 5th grade. She's growing up fast and I cherish each and every day of her life. Congratulations kiddo.

AMERICAN IDOL'S SKYLAR LAINE COMES HOME TO MISSISSIPPI

We are certainly proud of our hometown girl Skylar Laine. She arrived back home on Wednesday to a large welcoming crowd at Jackson Evers Airport. Skylar threw out the 1st pitch and sang the National Anthem at tonight's Mississippi Braves baseball game. I had the opportunity to meet Skylar this evening and she's just as sweet and genuine in person as she is on TV.

JEFF MAYWEATHER INTERVIEW

I spoke with Jeff Mayweather and got his thoughts on his Nephew Floyd's performance Vs. Miguel Cotto. Check out what he had to say HERE

MOVING FORWARD WITH A HEAVY HEART

The past week was a very difficult one. We buried our friend our HERO Officer Mike Walter. The procession line was the longest one that I have ever seen. Mike was killed last Tuesday while serving a warrant on a known sexual predator. He was shot and killed in the line of duty. Mike was my friend, and I have to be honest, this one hurt bad. It was difficult to watch his brothers and sisters on the force struggle with his passing. I spoke with the Chief, Ben Schuler about it the day after it happened, his eyes teared up and he said, "How do you prepare for something like this? We have nothing to go by, it's never happened in our community before."
It's going to take awhile for all of us to get past this. Mike and I spent countless hours over the years looking at video of credit card thieves. We would always laugh at the stupidity of some of them. Here's an idea.... Let's steal someone check book, or credit card and go into a Wal-Mart Supercenter that's equipped with hundreds of cameras and spend it. Too funny. We laughed hard at how dumb some of there were.
So now the funeral is over, the fundraiser is over, and we all must try and get back into our routines and live on. I took some time away from boxing, and MMA coverage. I took a break from my boxing site 8CountNews.com, and stayed focused on Mike, and his send off to Heaven.
I interviewed Jeff Mayweather last night and got his thoughts on the Floyd Vs. Cotto fight. It was time to start focusing on the things I love doing. I really enjoy interviewing fighters, and covering fights. I'm thankful for my two incredible God daughters. I love them both so much. They along with the rest of my family are what matters the most to me. My brave Nephew, Brendan, a US Marine about to deploy to Afghanistan. I don't have words to describe how proud of him I am. I admire good positive people. I respect those who make positive impacts on our world. These are the kinds of people that I surround myself with.
People like Mike Walter, who gave the ultimate sacrifice. My Nephew Brendan, a Marine serving his nation. My awesome God daughters, for being the positive, and loving kids that they are. My brother Scott and his awesome wife Dem, two incredible people. These are just a few of many who I admire, love, and respect. My friend and business partner Ed Anderson, a class act. The laughs we share when talking about the two douchebag's are priceless. Life goes on, and I'm ready again. RIP MIKE WALTER.

IMAGES FROM OFFICER WALTER'S TRIBUTE/FUNDRAISER

PEARL POLICE AND FRIENDS COPING WITH THE LOSS OF A FALLEN COMRADE

The time that I spent with Mike Walter was usually in my office combing over video and electronic journal transactions, figuring out what some moron credit card thief did with someone else's credit card. We would often laugh at the stupidity of some of the criminals, joking about how ignorant a person has to be in order to steal a credit card then go to a Wal-Mart Super-Center that's equipped with hundreds of cameras, and purchase things with it.

Other times I would see Mike down at the station while I was dropping off video or other evidence that could help them make arrests. Mike would constantly talk about his beautiful little girl, and how much he cherished his family. He was truly a great man, and he will be so, so, so, sorely missed. Our community, the Pearl Police Dept, and all of us who were so deeply honored to have known him are just devastated by his passing. The photo included within this article is of Officer Archie Bennett. He worked with Mike Walter. He is also a friend of mine, and when I first saw this photo, I had to share it. The photo speaks a million words. It's shows exactly what we are all feeling now. The brotherhood that Law Enforcement share is very strong, and when one of their own makes the ultimate sacrifice, they come together and they pull each other through. We sent Mike off yesterday. His final call, his final mission. His last orders were to report to Heaven. Mike was put on the express lane right to Heaven, this I am sure of. RIP Mike. You will be missed man.

THOUSANDS LINED THE STREETS TO PAY RESPECT TO OUR HERO MIKE WALTER

Fallen Officer Mike Walter Procession Line/Escort

I lost a friend on Tuesday morning in Mike Walter. I am devastated. Our community is devastated, and Mike's brothers and sisters in blue are devastated. His family is devastated. We are hurting. Here's a video of Mike's funeral procession line/Police escort. RIP Mike

PEARL SHOOTING UPDATE

Some good news out of University Medical Center today. Dave McCarley, who was shot twice, had surgery and is currently in recovery. He will pull through, thank God.
Mike's funeral arrangements will be released later on today. Once I get the info I will post it here and on FB. This is still difficult to deal with. Mike and I have spent hours and hours on many different credit card cases in the past when I used to investigate for Walmart. I will truly miss him. It makes me sick that his life was snatched from him by some disgusting sex offender who had no regard for human life.
Some may not know that Mike used to pitch for the Houston Astros. He hurt his arm and never was able to return to pitching, so he became a law enforcement officer. He was a great man. I will miss him ....

PEARL POLICE DEPT DEVASTED OVER FALLEN OFFICER

I just got back from the Pearl, Police Dept. There are a lot of very shook up officers down there today. I have worked with many of them over the years investigating stolen credit card cases, or stolen checks, fraud cases etc, and the relationship I have with those guys down there is something I cherish. Mike Walter was killed yesterday when he was serving a warrant on a sex offender. The suspect opened fire on Mike, Detective Dave McCarley and officer Shaun Terwilliger as they entered his bathroom looking for him.
Mike was shot in the face and died about 40 minutes afterward. Dave is currently at University Medical Center. He had one surgery last night and is stable. Dave will have a long road of therapy and rehab ahead of him, but thank God he will pull through.
Mike and I worked several cases when I was employed at Walmart. He was a class act gentlman, a dad, and a husband. He left behind his 11 year old daughter and his wife. He frequently spoke to me about his daughter, she meant the world to him. Mike was also a former professional baseball player. He was a huge San Diego Chargers fan, and he always would help a person out.
When I was down at PD this morning, I saw a lot of great men and women who serve our community in tears. They are devastated. This is a crushing blow to our community and Mike's brothers and sisters in blue are utterly crushed by his passing. Please keep Mike's wife and daughter and the rest of his family in your prayers.
RIP MIKE we will all miss you man.

PEARL POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

The world lost a great man today. Detective Mike Walter was my friend. I worked several credit card cases with him over the years. Mike and two other Pearl Police officers were shot today serving a warrant. Mike was shot in the head and killed. Dave McCarley, and Tillinger were also shot and both are stable at University Medical Center. It's been a terrible day. Mike left a wife and a child behind. Mike is a hero, and anyone that ever met him knows how much of a great person he was. God rest your soul Mike. You will be missed my friend.