Senate Concurrent Resolution 510

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE SERVICE OF FALLEN CONSERVATION MASTER SERGEANT JOHN COLLUM OF FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Master Sergeant John Collum was fatally injured in the line of duty when he was struck by a car on John Rankin Highway on Friday, May 9, 2014. Master Sergeant Collum was on foot investigating reports of a prowler; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Collum was born June 16, 1957, to Dr. Billy T. Collum and Barbara Starcevich Collum in Tupelo. He was a member of Fulton Church of Christ; and

WHEREAS, a 15-year veteran of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, he was named the 2012 Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Officer of the Year, placing him as the top Officer of a 17-state area. He was also awarded the Mississippi Wildlife Federation Award for his outstanding commitment to the conservation of Mississippi Natural Resources; and

WHEREAS, he was a lifetime member and Secretary of the Iron Warriors Tupelo Chapter Motorcycle Club. He was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and spending time with his family and friends, especially his four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks hosted a Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor and remember its fallen Conservation Officers, including John Collum, on May 15, 2014. The public ceremony was held at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks headquarters; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Karen Collum; two sons, Seth (Tiffany) Collum and Shae (Elizabeth) Collum; four grandchildren: Avery Collum, Dixie Belle Collum, Gunner Collum and Baylor Collum; his parents, Dr. Billy T. and Barbara Collum; five sisters: Barbara Jo Collum, Billy Jean (John) Stroud, Cynthia Finney, Charlotte Collum and Deborah Collum; and two brothers, Mark (Stephanie) Collum and James (Melinda) Collum. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lesley Wayne Collum and Phillip Charles Collum; and

WHEREAS, we can never repay our debt to this officer and his family, but we must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to his memory:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the service of fallen Conservation Master Sergeant John Collum of Fulton, Mississippi, and extend the sympathy of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Collum, forwarded to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Governor, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.