MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Banks, Chaney, Flaggs, Middleton

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF RETIRED VICKSBURG POLICE OFFICER CAPTAIN JOHN WILLIAM "JOE" MINOR, SR. 

WHEREAS, John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., who was born September 6, 1935, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to the late Bernard and Rosa Lee Minor, passed from this life on Friday, August 9, 1996, at Park View Regional Medical Center at the age of 60; and

WHEREAS, John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., was educated in the Vicksburg Public Schools, confessed Christ at the age of 11 at the First Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend T.F. Hammond of Greenville, Mississippi, and remained a faithful member, deacon and trustee of that church until his untimely passing; and

WHEREAS, John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., was one of the first two African-Americans who's hiring marked the racial integration of the Vicksburg Police Department in 1963; and

WHEREAS, John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., served as an employee of the City of Vicksburg for 33 years, during which time he served the Vicksburg Police Department as a patrol officer, then as a juvenile officer for 20 years, and he then later joined and served as commander of the detective bureau; and

WHEREAS, at the time of his death, John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., was in charge of security for the 53 buildings owned by the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career in law enforcement, John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., served as an example for the new and younger police officers joining the police department, being a big brother to the younger officers; and

WHEREAS, Captain John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., who was a good man and a fine family man, is survived by his wife, Edna G. Minor; two sons, John W. Minor, Jr., of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Paul Stewart of Oakland, California; one daughter, Rose Mary Thompson of Houston, Texas; two granddaughters, Robin Thompson of Houston, Texas, and Shaundari Wynn of Vicksburg, Mississippi; five brothers, Charles E. Minor, Wilbert E. Minor, David B. Minor, Karl Minor and Joe Minor, all of Vicksburg, Mississippi; two sisters, Edna Harrison and Inez Summer of Vicksburg, Mississippi; one uncle, Samuel Minor of Woodville, Mississippi, three aunts, N. C. Russ, Gloster, Mississippi; Alma Howard, Chicago, Illinois; a mother-in-law, Mary Ward of Morton, Mississippi; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence in community service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Captain John William "Joe" Minor, Sr., for his many years of service as a Police Officer of the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Edna G. Minor and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.