Senate Concurrent Resolution 529

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF THEO J. "TIBBY" DELAHOUSEY, CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FROM BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Theo J. "Tibby" Delahousey, a life-long resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, and career law enforcement officer, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2003; and

WHEREAS, his was a true success story of someone who was born on the coast with not a whole lot of formal education, but did very well; and

WHEREAS, Delahousey was a Biloxian to the core, from his early days working as a shrimper to walking the downtown streets as a beat cop; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Delahousey was born in Biloxi where he was a lifelong resident. His family was one of the early settlers in east Biloxi who made their livelihood in the seafood industry. Mr. Delahousey was a commercial fisherman until he entered the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. He married the former Margaret Hollier, also of Biloxi. He dedicated the rest of his professional career to law enforcement. He served the Biloxi Police Department for 22 years as a patrolman, criminal investigator, juvenile officer and traffic sergeant. He then continued his public service career from 1991 to 1999 as a Special Deputy United States Marshall, Court Security Officer at the Federal Courthouse in Biloxi; and

WHEREAS, during his career in law enforcement he received numerous awards and citations including, Police Officer of The Year in 1976. He was a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Accident Investigation and the United States Marshall Service Training Academy; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Delahousey was active in civic and religious organizations. He was a member of the Fleur De Lis Society (French Club) and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Biloxi where he was a member of the Altar Society and a Euchristic Minister. He was a generous contributor to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Mr. Delahousey was a member of Elks Lodge #606 and the V.F.W. Lyman Bradford Post; and

WHEREAS, survivors include a brother, Dudley Delahousey of Biloxi; two sons, Mike Delahousey and Steve Delahousey of Biloxi, a daughter, Anita Boney and her husband, Tommy, of Biloxi; four grandchildren Desiree' Smith of Gautier, Michael Delahousey of Gautier, Matthew and Stephanie Boney of Biloxi; and two great-grandchildren, Tiffany and Natalie Smith of Gautier; and

WHEREAS, former state Senator Ed Ryan, also a retired Biloxi police officer, remembers Delahousey for both his professionalism and his humor: "He never met a stranger. He was very conscientious and he had a good work ethic. Anything that was required or asked, he did it," Ryan said. "And, he liked a good joke."; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this well-known Biloxian who contributed so much to his community:

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 life of Theo J. "Tibby" Delahousey, career law enforcement officer and lifelong resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, and express to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Theo Delahousey and be made available to the Sun Herald and the Capitol Press Corps.