COPS have launched a desperate manhunt for a gunman who shot and killed a 77-year-old police deputy after grabbing his gun.

Joaquin Steven Blackwell, 22, fatally shot the sheriff's deputy after grabbing his gun while he was taken into custody, Mississippi cops say.

The Hinds County Sheriff's Office described Blackwell, of Magee, Mississippi, as "armed and dangerous" in a tweet Friday.

The deputy was later identified as being 77-year-old James Blair who was "shot and killed in the line duty", a Facebook post by the Jones County Sheriff's Department said.

Blackwell had been in the sheriff's department's custody and was brought to the mental health facility in Mendenhall for an evaluation because his family was worried about his mental health, Regions 8 Health executive director Dave Van told WJTV.

While the deputy was taking Blackwell into custody after the evaluation, the young man allegedly grabbed the deputy's gun while he was escorted back to the patrol car – shooting Blair and escaping into the woods.

The deputy was airlifted to the hospital, where he died, according to WJTV.

It is not known why Blackwell had been taken into custody and how long he had been at the mental health facility or how long he was held in custody.

He was last seen wearing just white boxer shorts and no shirt.

He is described as a black male, of five foot eight inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair.

A search perimeter in the area of Highway 13 and Highway 49 near Mendenhall was set up while searching for Blackwell.

The deputy's neighbors told WLBT that the 77-year-old was still working as a cop because he was raising his grandsons after their mother died.

Blair had worked in law enforcement his whole life, including as a paramedic and a school resource officer.

A tribute to the deputy by his department on Saturday read: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Simpson County Deputy James Blair following yesterday’s tragic incident.

"We are thankful for his service. May God bring you peace."

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