MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Little, Kirby, Burton, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Cuevas, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Frazier, Furniss, Gollott, Hamilton, Harvey, Horhn, Huggins, Hyde-Smith, Jackson, Jordan, King, Lee, Mettetal, Minor, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Scoper, Simmons, Smith, Stogner, Thames, Walls, Williamson, Johnson (19th), Bryan

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF LT. COLONEL BRUCE BRELAND, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Breland of Richland, Mississippi, has announced his retirement as Deputy Director of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in charge of Support Services; in this position, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Division of Support Services which has approximately 63 employees and is one of seven components under the Department of Public Safety umbrella; and

WHEREAS, commissioned as a trooper in 1969, Breland served in the Gulfport District in enforcement until 1975 when he became an Instructor at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy; in 1980, Breland began working at the headquarters building in Jackson as Director of the Implied Consent Branch, becoming Director of the Driver Improvement Branch in 1982; in 1986, he was promoted to Captain and assigned as Director of the Administrative Division of the Driver Services Bureau; in 1990, Breland was promoted to Major and placed in charge of Support Services, being elevated in rank to Lieutenant Colonel in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Breland graduated from Poplarville High School and from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice; he served aboard the U.S.S. Ault (D.D. 698) Destroyer in the United States Navy from 1966-1968 holding the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class; he retired from the Mississippi Army National Guard in 1991 with the rank of Captain in the Military Police Corp.; and

WHEREAS, Breland received special training in an instructor's course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia; special weapons and tactics training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; defensive driving training at Somerville, Massachusetts; police firearms instruction from the U.S. Treasury Department; hazardous explosive devices training from Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama; civil disturbance training at Fort McCellen, Anniston, Alabama; and advanced scuba instructor's training at Jacksonville, Florida; and

WHEREAS, he is the son of Helen S. Breland and the late Hugo Breland of Poplarville, Mississippi; he is married to the former Rebecca Jo Quinn, daughter of Roy and Pearl Quinn of Richland; they are the parents of three daughters: Michelle, Karen and Robin, and one son, Brian; the Brelands are members of the Richland United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the long public service of this dedicated law enforcement professional, whose expertise has enhanced the effectiveness of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and brought great credibility and honor to his department and to his state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the career and public service of Colonel Bruce Breland, Deputy Director of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, upon the occasion of his retirement after a 30-year career as a law enforcement professional, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Bruce and his family, and be made available to the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Capitol Press Corps.