Senate Concurrent Resolution 590

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MASTER SERGEANT SHEILA SMITH FROM BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS "2017 CONSERVATION OFFICER OF THE YEAR."

WHEREAS, we join the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) in honoring Master Sergeant Sheila Smith, a fourteen-year veteran of the department, as the "2017 Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Conservation Officer of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Sheila Smith is the first female Game Warden to win the award, and she will receive the award at the 58th Mississippi Conservation Achievement Awards Luncheon on February 15 at the Hilton Jackson Hotel; and

WHEREAS, the Port Gibson native has lived in Brookhaven and patrolled Lincoln County for 14 years, and 2017 may have been her busiest year yet. Last year, she wrote a total of 124 citations, including 11 felonies and three Class I wildlife violations, and made numerous arrests for drug possession, parole violations, felons with firearms, and more. She recorded more felony arrests than any other Conservation Officer in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Smith's duties are numerous and varied. Making felony arrests grabs attention, but Smith also performs the task of an old school, neighborly Game Warden: checking licenses, teaching Hunter's Education to youth, teaching Boater's Education, working accidents, overseeing fishing rodeos, and speaking at churches and local schools. Smith is a Field Training Officer for the MDWFP, mentoring new officers assigned to the region in twelve-month stints; and

WHEREAS, she also volunteers for the Wildlife Department's successful Archery in Mississippi Schools Program, working the Regional and State Tournaments every year. She previously coached the Archery Team at Brookhaven Academy, leading them to a title in 2015. Smith is on the Board of Directors for the Lincoln County Wildlife Expo and she and her husband, Steve, are supporters of the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League. Much of her time with MDWFP is spent rescuing and releasing wildlife; and

WHEREAS, although not part of her assigned duties, Smith is also leading the way in another important area of Law Enforcement of MDWFP: She is cutting out a trail for women to enter the profession. There are three female Conservation Officers in Mississippi now; Sheila was the only one for 12 years. She said, "There's not a whole lot of women interested in sitting in the woods all night. It is mainly a man's job because that's who you are dealing with most of the time. I grew up hunting and fishing. For me, a Game Warden is what I always wanted to be"; and

WHEREAS, Major Lane Ball, MDWFP's South Region Administrator, said, "One of Smith's most impressive qualities is her ability to interact with the public, a common requirement of a Game Warden that is not easy for everyone. On the other side, when she's dealing with violators, she has a way of keeping the situation under control"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we thank an effective law enforcement professional for her service to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize Master Sergeant Sheila Smith from Brookhaven, Mississippi, as the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks "2017 Conservation Officer of the Year," and extend to Sergeant Smith and her family our best wishes for success in her future career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Master Sergeant Sheila Smith, forwarded to the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.