MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Evans (45th), Dortch, Miles, Staples, Massengill, Barker
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF STATE TROOPERS LIEUTENANT TRAE G. STAPLES, CORPORAL WILLARD D. HOLIFIELD JR., AND TROOPER FIRST CLASS DEANDRE L. DIXON.
WHEREAS, on February 20, 2016, officers were called to the scene where a young child's life was endangered, and responding to the immense gravity of the situation Lieutenant Trae G. Staples, Corporal Willard D. Holifield Jr., and Trooper First Class Deandre L. Dixon were injured in the act of rescuing the young child; and
WHEREAS, it is the uncommon bravery of officers like these that sow the seeds of peace and freedom in our communities across the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Trae G. Staples, from Jasper County, Mississippi, serves within the Mississippi Highway Patrol as the Training Division Assistant Director at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy in Pearl, Mississippi; his experience includes 10 years of service as a State Trooper and nine years of service as a Tactical SWAT Operator; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Willard D. Holifield Jr., from Rankin County, Mississippi, is a member of Troop C Central Region Uniformed Division in Jackson, Mississippi; he has served as a State Trooper for eight years and has spent five years serving as a Tactical SWAT Operator; and
WHEREAS, Trooper First Class Deandre L. Dixon, from Hinds County, Mississippi, is a member of Troop C Central Region Uniformed Division in Jackson, Mississippi; he has served as a State Trooper for four years and has spent three years serving as a Tactical SWAT Operator; and
WHEREAS, the selfless acts of Lieutenant Staples, Corporal Holifield and Trooper First Class Dixon, who, without trepidation or fear, serve as the first line of defense of the State of Mississippi's chief law enforcement agency, are evidentiary of the caliber of extraordinary men and women who don the uniform of law enforcement in meritorious fashion; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the outstanding service and sacrifices of law enforcement officers like that of Lieutenant Trae G. Staples, Corporal Willard D. Holifield Jr., and Trooper First Class Deandre L. Dixon, who have served with uncommon valor and been injured in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the laudable service of Lieutenant Trae G. Staples, Corporal Willard D. Holifield Jr., and Trooper First Class Deandre L. Dixon, and extend best wishes for speedy recoveries and many years of good health to come.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Lieutenant Trae G. Staples, Corporal Willard D. Holifield Jr., Trooper First Class Deandre L. Dixon, Colonel Chris Gillard, Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.