House Concurrent Resolution 3

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SHERIFF DAVID MARION BRYAN AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, David Marion Bryan, known as "North Mississippi Number One" for his diligence in getting any job done during his almost three decades of service, was elected Sheriff of Panola County in 1975, serving eight terms for a total of 28 years; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of University High School in Oxford, Mississippi, where he lettered in three sports, Sheriff Bryan attended Northwest Mississippi Junior College and graduated from the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, prior to election to the office of Sheriff of Panola County, Sheriff Bryan taught and coached at Corinth High School for one year and at South Panola High School for twelve years; and

WHEREAS, as Sheriff of Panola County, Sheriff Bryan was a charter and lifetime member of the Mississippi Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranches, a member of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association since 1976, a member of the National Sheriff's Association and served as President of the Panola County Law Enforcement Officers Association and of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association; and

WHEREAS, having served on the governor's search committee to select a medical examiner, Criminal Justice Board, Board of Minimum Standards of Law Enforcement Training and the United States Attorney's Office Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, Sheriff Bryan was selected as Mississippi Officer of the Year and recipient of the "Going Beyond the Call of Duty" award in 1985; and

WHEREAS, at the time of his untimely passing on April 23, 2005, Sheriff Bryan was serving on the Advisory Board for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Homeland Security Advisory Committee, the Anti-Terrorism Task Force for the United States Attorney's Office and the Panola County TRIAD; and

WHEREAS, the 2004 Civitan International Citizen of the Year, Sheriff Bryan leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Ida Margaret Bryan; three children, Dana Elizabeth, Olivia Leigh and Joel Mathis; mother, Alta Jo Cook Bryan; three sisters, a brother and seven grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the life of such a remarkable individual as Sheriff Bryan, who never sought praise or recognition for his work, but rather took quiet pride in serving the community to the best of his ability:

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 of Sheriff David Marion Bryan 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 Sheriff Bryan and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.