Senate Concurrent Resolution 586

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICE OF CAPTAIN TONY RAY THORNTON, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL AND S.W.A.T. TEAM, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, on February 28, 2006, Captain Tony Ray Thornton, Director of Training for the Mississippi Highway Patrol and S.W.A.T. Team, will retire after 24 years of dedicated professional service in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, between 1995 and 2006, Captain Thornton has assisted in training over 250 troopers for the Mississippi Highway Patrol; and

WHEREAS, since assuming the responsibility for the S.W.A.T. Team in 1995, Captain Thornton has reported no loss of life or serious injury to officers on the team; and

WHEREAS, the highlights of Captain Thornton's career in law enforcement for the State of Mississippi are as follows:

· Graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy on December 17, 1981, Class #40 (graduated 37 cadets);

· 1st assignment: District 4, Troop F, Badge F-52, H.H. Waycaster, Supervisor;

· December 1986, transferred to Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics under Director Donald Butler;

· October 1990, reassigned to MHP to District 4 by Colonel Huggins and Commissioner Louisa Dixon. Promoted to the rank of Trooper First Class;

· January 1992, promoted to the rank of Corporal;

· March 1994, promoted to the rank of Sergeant;

· May 1995, assigned to the Training Division;

· June 1995, assigned the duties and responsibilities of the S.W.A.T. Team;

· October 1995, Training Officer for Cadet Class 51 (first training class);

· November 1995, promoted to Master Sergeant and assigned Assistant Training Officer;

· June 1997, assigned Acting Director of MHP Training and S.W.A.T. Team;

· February 1998, promoted to Lieutenant/Assistant Director of Training Division and Director of Tactical Unit;

· January 2000, assigned Acting Director of Training;

· May 2000, promoted to Captain, Director of Training;

· June 2001, graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

· Trained cadet classes #51 through current; and

WHEREAS, Tony and his wife, Deborah, have two sons, Brent (18) and Hunter (12). Brent has been in the U.S. Army Special Forces since November 2005, and Hunter is a student at Northwest Rankin County Schools; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note the dedicated public service of this law enforcement professional who has dedicated his career to the safety of Mississippi citizens, and who has brought honor to his department and to the State of Mississippi:

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 dedicated professional service of Captain Tony Ray Thornton, Director of Training for the Mississippi Highway Patrol and S.W.A.T. Team, on the occasion of his retirement after 24 years of service, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Captain Thornton and forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Safety, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.