Mississippi law enforcement officials now suspect a Nebraska man shot and killed on a lonely stretch of highway in that state might have fallen victim to a thief posing as a police officer.

74-year-old Thomas Schlender of Raymond was found shot to death in his pick-up in the early morning hours of May 8th on a highway in northern Mississippi. He was headed to Pensacola, Florida to pick up one of his grandchildren from college.

Mississippi authorities say that Schlender and another motorist, shot to death three nights later about 70 miles from where Schlender was found, might have been victims of a police impersonator.

Officers found several bullet holes in the driver’s door on Schlender’s pick-up. Investigators recovered 9mm shell casings at the scene. Schlender’s wallet was missing.

The Tate County, Mississippi Sheriff’s Department has posted notices on its Facebook page, informing motorists unsure of the legitimacy of a traffic stop to call 9-1-1 for a confirmation. The department has informed its deputies not to overreact if a driver doesn’t immediately pull over.

Thomas Schlender of Raymond, killed in Mississippi/Family photo

The family of Thomas Schlender of Raymond, Nebraska want answers after the 74 year old was shot and killed earlier this week while driving on an interstate in north Mississippi.

Schlender’s son-in-law Matt Anderson tells us he was on his way to Pensacola, Florida to pick up his grandson from college and bring him back to Nebraska. At 1:40 Tuesday morning, Schlender’s vehicle was found by the Mississippi Highway Patrol on Interstate 55 in the median. Anderson says Schlender had been hit four times by gunfire. Authorities have found shell casings along the interstate. They do have fingerprints and those shell casings are being processed.

Anderson says his wife, Tracy, Schlender’s daughter received a phone call early Tuesday. Schlender had talked to Tracy the night before so that is how the Mississippi Highway Patrol was able to contact family.

Tracy Anderson says her father retired many years ago and enjoyed these types of road trips to get his grandchildren. It was not his first trip. She says her father’s main concern was always family.

Matt Anderson says there was a similar incident in northern Mississippi this morning where a 47 year old woman was shot on a state highway around 2:30 this morning. He says authorities in Mississippi are saying the two shootings are not related but says the circumstances are “painfully close”.