Senate Resolution 2

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE COMMENDATION AND THANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL COLONEL RANDY C. GINN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FOLLOWING 36 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE.

WHEREAS, longtime Mississippi Highway Patrol Division Leader Colonel Randy C. Ginn informed over 1,000 sworn-in officers as well as state lawmakers that he would be retiring during the Department of Public Safety's first-ever "All DPS" general assembly held November 30, 2023; and

WHEREAS, at this assembly, Colonel Randy C. Ginn announced his retirement after 36 years of service to the state and citizens of Mississippi, effective January 31, 2024; and

WHEREAS, after finishing his studies at Ole Miss, Colonel Ginn went on to graduate in Cadet Class #45 on December 18, 1987. He would go on to become a graduate of the 43rd Session of the FBI Academy National Executive Institute and of the 234th Session of the FBI National Academy; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Ginn has risen through the ranks and held many prestigious titles. He served as Captain and Executive Officer for Troop G in Starkville from 2009-2013 and Northern Region Major from 2013-2016. He was named as the Lieutenant Colonel and Deputy Director as Chief of the Uniformed Division on February 1, 2016, before being named Colonel and Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on July 1, 2020. Colonel Ginn has also served as the Director of ECITE, Major of Central Region Enforcement, and Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Ginn is also the recipient of well-deserved accolades. He was named "Troop G Trooper of the Year" in 1990 and "Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Trooper of the Year" in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Governor Tate Reeves said, "I want to thank Colonel Ginn for his lifetime of service to Mississippi. His commitment to protecting this great state and its residents is deserving of recognition and commendation by all"; and

WHEREAS, Colonel Randy C. Ginn stated, "It has been a blessing and an honor to spend my career with this great agency. I have been privileged to work with the finest professional law enforcement officers in this state. The opportunities that exist for the men and women of the Mississippi Highway Patrol far exceed anything that could have been imagined when I began"; and

WHEREAS, Commissioner Sean Tindell thanked Colonel Ginn for his selfless service to the men and women of Mississippi, the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and our great state. "Colonel Ginn has spent the entirety of his career making Mississippi a safer place. It has been an honor working with him throughout the years," said Commissioner Tindell; and

WHEREAS, Charles Haynes will be Colonel effective January 1, 2024. This general assembly was the first of its nature in the history of this state agency. Commissioner Tindell's address to the officers emphasized the importance of working together and moving forward to improve public safety in Mississippi, and he was quoted saying, "DPS can only be its best when each of you are at your best"; and

WHEREAS, we can never repay our debt to law enforcement 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 service, and in honor of the legacy of Colonel Randy Ginn those of us who are privileged to serve in the Legislature should strive to support veteran law enforcement by providing resources they need to do their jobs:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the commendation and thanks of the Mississippi Senate to Mississippi Highway Patrol Colonel Randy C. Ginn on the occasion of his retirement following 36 years of outstanding and effective law enforcement service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to MHP Colonel Randy C. Ginn (retired) and his wife, Rhonda Ginn; son, Andrew Ginn (Sadie); daughter, Jordon McCoy (Logan); and grandchildren: Shepherd, Greta and Laney; forwarded to the Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell and Governor Tate Reeves; and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.