On this day, December 10, 2025, KILJ Radio remembers the shooting death of 53-year-old Mt. Pleasant Mayor Edward M. King that stunned the city of Mt. Pleasant and rocked the nation. On this day, 39 years ago, in 1986, Mayor King was shot and killed, and two city council members: Ron Dupree and Joann Sankey were left with severe injuries. The gunman, Ralph O. Davis, walked into a Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting and shot them over a sewer dispute.
In addition to being mayor, Edd King was Vice President and Director of Personnel at what was then known as Metromail. He knew everyone and most people by their first name.
Edd King and the former E.A. Hayes put Mt. Pleasant, at the crossroads of Highway 218 and 34, on the map. They were instrumental in bringing Pioneer Hi-Bred International and the Walmart Distribution Center to Mt. Pleasant.
The Mayor Edd King Memorial Fountain can be found in Mt. Pleasant’s Central Park as a constant reminder of what Mayor King meant to the city of Mt. Pleasant and the tragedy that struck our small town.