MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Mettetal, Albritton, Browning, Butler, Chaney, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Frazier, Gordon, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Pickering, Posey, Ross, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ROBERT MICHAEL "ROBBIE" LANGLEY, THE FIRST UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI POLICE OFFICER WHOSE LIFE WAS TAKEN IN THE LINE OF DUTY, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE ON HIS UNTIMELY PASSING.
WHEREAS, Robert Michael Langley, "Robbie" to everyone who knew him, was a University of Mississippi Police Officer, a soldier in the Army National Guard, a father to four young children, a man who had accepted Jesus Christ into his life and a great friend to many. Officer Langley died on Saturday, October 21, 2006, during a traffic stop on campus. Officer Langley is the first Ole Miss police officer whose life was taken in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, following funeral services on campus, at which a capacity crowd of 1,000 packed into the Gertrude C. Ford Center to witness a heart-stirring eulogy, Robbie was borne to the gravesite at Forrest Memorial Park at Batesville, Mississippi, by members of the Mississippi National Guard and received Police Honors by the Desoto County Sheriff's Department; and
WHEREAS, Robbie was employed with the University of Mississippi Police Department, serving with the K-9 Unit and he was a U.S. Army National Guard Serviceman. He joined Galloway United Methodist Church at the age of 12 years old, where he was very active in church activities. On January 30, 2005, he rededicated his life to the Lord at Sardis Lake Baptist Church in Batesville, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Robbie graduated from Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Madison, Mississippi, in 1995. While he attended Madison-Ridgeland Academy, he joined the ROTC. As a junior in high school, he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard. He was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Robbie played football and ran track while a student at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. While on the track team, he won the State Championship in both the 100-meter dash and high jump. Robbie, also was an avid soccer and baseball player. After graduation, he attended Valley Forge Military College in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for one year, and then transferred to Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. At both Valley Forge and Delta State University, he played football as a running back. Later, he received his Mortuary Science degree from Northwest Community College. He was an avid bass fisherman and outdoorsman. Mr. Langley was musically inclined and could play any musical instrument; and
WHEREAS, in April of 2002, he began his career in law enforcement with the University of Mississippi Police Department. In February of 2005, he was called to active duty with the 114th Battalion from New Albany, Mississippi. He served his country for 14 months in Afghanistan and upon returning back from the Middle East, he rejoined the University of Mississippi Police Department, where he was then promoted to the K-9 Unit. A distinguished honor of Robbie's law enforcement career was being chosen to be the personal bodyguard for Prince Edward while he toured the University's campus; and
WHEREAS, his homecoming in April 2006, after serving 14 months as a member of the 114th Field Artillery, turned into a spontaneous celebration at Batesville Elementary School. His daughter was in Kindergarten and when he came to see her, he patiently allowed the teachers to assemble all the Kindergarten classes in the hallway to honor him. He let children touch and know a soldier. He gazed at them as only love can gaze, and you knew you were in the presence of a Christian soldier; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Lisa Bryant Langley of Batesville, Mississippi; two sons, Robert "Robbie" Michael Langley, Jr., of Oxford, Mississippi and Cory Bridges Langley of Batesville, Mississippi; two step-daughters, Maci Cheyenne Kirkland of Batesville, Mississippi, and Anne Claire Bufkin of Oxford, Mississippi; one sister, Racheal Langley of Kosciusko, Mississippi; one step-sister, Renee Howell of Carthage, Mississippi; one step-brother, Chris Watkins of Pearl, Mississippi; two foster brothers, Jonathan Van Every and Kelsay Van Every of Brandon, Mississippi; biological father, Larry Langley, and step-mother, Sherry Donald Langley, both of Lena, Mississippi; biological mother, Debbie Hearn Lloyd, and step-father, Michael Lloyd, both of Covington, Louisiana; foster parents, Eugene and Paula Van Every of Brandon, Mississippi; biological grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Langley of Holly Bluff, Missouri; paternal grandmother, Glenda Bridges Kuhn of Batesville, Mississippi; paternal grandfather, Cecil Langley of Vicksburg, Mississippi; maternal grandmother, Jannie Foster Hearn of Covington, Louisiana; maternal grandfather, James T. Hearn of Hammond, Louisiana; paternal step-grandmother, Mary Langley of Vicksburg, Mississippi; foster grandmother, Virginia Tardy of Cleveland, Mississippi; and mother and father-in-law, Henry and Linda Bryant of Batesville, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Robbie was eulogized as a tremendous young man, who lived what he believed and who was at the "best moment in his life". He was a civic servant at heart who gave the ultimate gift to his community and state. It is with sadness that we note the untimely passing of this public servant and for his courage, strength and dedicated service, a grateful state thanks him:
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 and career of Robert Michael "Robbie" Langley, the first University of Mississippi Police Officer whose life was taken in the line of duty, and express to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature on his untimely passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Officer Langley, be forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.