An off-duty Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper was gunned down before dawn Friday morning on a stretch of rural highway as he worked a side job hauling mail for the U.S. Postal Service.

Troy L. Morris, 58, of Natchez, Mississippi, was identified as the victim. He was found shot to death in a delivery truck he used to deliver mail for the U.S. Postal Service.

“This is a sad day for law enforcement, the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the State of Mississippi,” said Sean Tindell, commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Lieutenant Troy Morris. Local, state and federal agents will work tirelessly to ensure justice.”

Morris was a 27-year veteran of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and hauled mail as second job.

“We are deeply saddened at the loss of Lieutenant Tory Morriss,” MHP Director Col. Randy Ginn said. “He was a good man, friend and a valuable member of this agency. He will truly be missed by the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

The U.S. Postal Service and the Mississippi Crime Stoppers organization are offering a $105,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Morris’ killers.