Senate Resolution 8

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE 52-YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OF CONSTABLE HOUSTON "HOOT" WEST OF CALEDONIA, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS LOST IN THE LINE OF DUTY, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.

WHEREAS, we join the law enforcement community in mourning the loss of a fallen officer, Constable Houston "Hoot" West (81) of Caledonia, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, on May 10, 2020, Constable West was performing his normal job, on his way to serve civil papers. While he was driving around a curve in the road, his patrol vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Constable West died from injuries he sustained when he was involved in the traffic accident; and

WHEREAS, West entered law enforcement in 1962 as a Deputy in the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, but it was as Constable that he "became a legend." West was elected as District 1 Constable in 1967 and was reelected an astonishing 12 times, which it is the nature of the job for constables to make some enemies of the neighbors he had to serve papers or arrest. But West had a way of soothing hurt feelings. Over his five decades in law enforcement, West was shot, wounded and exposed to other dangers, but he never seemed to lose his good humor. Hoot always referred to all citizens - family, friends, even foes alike, as "my people," said Caledonia Mayor Mitch Wiggins, whose late father was a close friend of West. "He looked out for people. He believed his job was a calling and served faithfully any time, day or night"; and

WHEREAS, residents of District 1 have lost something in Constable West that cannot be replaced. It was like Mayberry losing Andy Taylor. It was an honor to be raised in a community being protected by a man like Hoot West; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his son, Michael "Mike" (Patricia); two daughters, Debbie (Billy) and Paula; mother, Ellie Rhee Reeves West; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother; and two sisters; and

WHEREAS, we can never repay our debt to these officers and their families, but we must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to their memory. We should not pause and remember to thank first responders and police officers only in the wake of tragedy, we should do it every day: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby pay tribute to the 52-year law enforcement career of Constable Houston "Hoot" West of Caledonia, Mississippi, who was lost in the line of duty, and extending the condolences of the Mississippi Senate to his surviving family.

be it further resolved, that this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Constable Houston "Hoot" West and the Board of Supervisors of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.