House Resolution 32

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEPUTY HUBERT RIVERS AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the State of Mississippi and the City of Meridian lost a wonderful friend, community leader and civil servant on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, with the passing of Deputy Hubert Rivers; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rivers, who was born on September 13, 1935, to the late Wesley and Addie Rivers, dutifully served the people of his community as a law enforcement officer for all of his life, being first hired in 1956 by the Meridian Police Department even before he could legally go to work; and

WHEREAS, fondly known as "Sarge" by those who knew and loved him best, Mr. Rivers grew up around the Meridian courthouse where his mother worked as a deputy circuit court clerk, which, no doubt, had an impact on his decision to become an officer; and

WHEREAS, on November 7, 1954, Mr. Rivers married the love of his life, Virginia Combs, and although she had some apprehensions about his becoming a law enforcement officer, she dealt with it in the best manner that could be expected and was always supportive of Mr. Rivers; and

WHEREAS, in 1961, Mr. Rivers went to Brighton, Missouri, and spent two to three weeks there eating and sleeping German in order to bring back the first police K-9s used by the Meridian Police Department, including his K-9 Tiger who saved Mr. Rivers' life on two separate occasions; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rivers retired from the Meridian Police Department in 1987 to pursue other avenues, working both in the private security sector and as a bodyguard before joining the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department in 1992; and

WHEREAS, in addition to loyally serving his city as a law enforcement officer, "Sarge" also helped to better his community by beginning a boxing program for Meridian youths in order to get them off the streets and put idle hands to work, and for some of the youth he coached, he was like a second father; and

WHEREAS, during his illustrious law enforcement career, Mr. Rivers was awarded several prestigious awards, including: the Sertoma Service to Mankind Award in 1978; the Mid-City Exchange Club Police Officer of the Year Award in 1975 for service to the community; the Meridian Exchange Club Deputy of the Year in 1995; and the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Meridian Optimist Club in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rivers is survived by: his wife of 60 years, Virginia Combs Rivers; five children, Dusty Rivers and his wife, Betty, Beth Lewis and her husband, Mark, Cindy Hatcher and her husband, Larry, Mike Rivers, and Amy Reynolds and her husband, Greg; honorary sons, Eddie Collins, Freddie Collins and Jimmy Mitchell; eight grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commemorate outstanding Mississippians such as Hubert Rivers, whose life of service to others and selfless and genteel nature exemplify an individual of highly esteemed caliber to which all citizens of our state may aspire:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mr. Hubert Rivers of Meridian, Mississippi, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and many friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Hubert Rivers and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.