MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Burton, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Lee, Longwitz, Simmons (12th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF DR. CHESTER L. QUARLES, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OF NARCOTICS, FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CRIME LAB AND LONGTIME OLE MISS PROFESSOR.
WHEREAS, Dr. Chester Leland Quarles, former Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, first Director of the Mississippi State Crime Lab and longtime University of Mississippi Professor who wrote about terrorism, criminal justice and school safety, passed away on October 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS, born in Leland, Mississippi, Dr. Quarles moved to the Oxford area in 1969 from Jackson, Mississippi. He received his undergraduate degree in Law Enforcement from Florida State, his master's degree from the University of Mississippi, and his Ph.D. from Sam Houston State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Quarles' career encompassed his service in the United States Military as a Military Police Officer, a Criminal Investigator for the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the first Director of the Mississippi State Crime Lab and the Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics; and
WHEREAS, as a Professor of Political Science, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, Dr. Quarles' career with the University of Mississippi spanned 40 years; and
WHEREAS, a world traveler, Dr. Quarles was the founder of Crisis Consultants International, a group that handles negotiations with terrorists when missionaries are kidnapped. He had a publishing record of 81 articles, six sole-authored books and four co-authored books. Dr. Quarles was a Certified Protection Professional, a Certified Protection Officer, a Certified International Investigator and a Fellow in the Institute of Professional Investigators; and
WHEREAS, a devout Christian, Dr. Quarles was a member of Mt. Comfort Baptist Church in Bruce, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, survivors include his wife, Dot Quarles of Tula, Mississippi; one daughter, Kathy (Randy) Baker of Banner, Mississippi; four sons: Dr. Chuck (Julie) Quarles of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Steve (Wendy) Quarles of Oxford, Mississippi, Mark (Emily) Quarles of Madison, Mississippi, and Mike (Tammy) Quarles of Oxford, Mississippi; his mother, Virginia Quarles of Clinton, Mississippi; two sisters, Mary Virginia Quarles of Wausau, Wisconsin, and Grace Quarles of Clinton, Mississippi; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild with one on the way. His father, Chester Lew Quarles, preceded Dr. Quarles in death; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of a most public spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy is a legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Chester L. Quarles, former Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, first Director of the Mississippi State Crime Lab and longtime Ole Miss Professor, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Quarles, forwarded to the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.