House Concurrent Resolution 81

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CHIEF JIMMY L. DUKES AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Chief Jimmy L. Dukes of Flora, Mississippi, departed this life on Tuesday, December 11, 2001, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Chief Dukes, former Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, was a native of Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Chief Dukes began his long and distinguished career in law enforcement in 1965 with the Clinton Police Department, serving there 20 years before assuming the position as Interim Chief of the Madison Police Department in 1985 and ultimately Chief of Police for Madison in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Chief Dukes served as Chief of Police for Madison until 1991, when he accepted the position of Director for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics; and

WHEREAS, credited with the transformation of the Madison Police Department, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Madison, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and countless contributions to the city's law enforcement, by resolution, designated its municipal courtroom as the "Jimmy L. Dukes Courtroom," in honor and appreciation of Chief Dukes; and

WHEREAS, a hard worker and serious man by nature, Chief Dukes will also be remembered for occasionally allowing his sense of humor to emerge; and

WHEREAS, upon his move to Flora, Mississippi, Chief Dukes united with and remained a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Flora; and

WHEREAS, Chief Dukes is survived by his wife, Anna Thomas Dukes; his daughter, Kristen Mitchell; his son, Kevin Dukes; three grandchildren, Victoria Turner, William Turner and Mattie Dukes; his mother, Jesse Dukes; his sister, Paulette Hickman; and two brothers, Don Dukes and Charles Dukes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and pay special tribute to such outstanding Mississippians as Chief Jimmy L. Dukes, a remarkable citizen who dedicated his life to preserving the safety of his fellowman and epitomizing the highest standards of law enforcement professionalism:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of Chief Jimmy L. Dukes and express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Chief Jimmy L. Dukes and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.