MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Barnett, Branning, Butler, Frazier, Harkins, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Massey, McMahan, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Stone, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL DIRECTOR COLONEL DONNELL BERRY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, 36-year department veteran Colonel Donnell Berry has announced his retirement as Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol effective February 1, 2016. He will be succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Chris Gillard; and
WHEREAS, Donnell Berry was born and raised in Bentonia, Mississippi, where he attended Bentonia High School. Berry earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in May of 1980 from Alcorn State University; and
WHEREAS, Berry's ambition was to become a Trooper for the Mississippi Highway Patrol. In September of 1980 Berry attended Mississippi Highway Patrol Cadet Class 21 where he graduated on December 12, 1980. Berry was promoted to Assistant Troop Commander in Troop C on December 1, 1990. On May 14, 1996, Berry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, District Executive Officer for Troop C. In January 2004 Berry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Chief of Uniform Enforcement Division of the Mississippi Highway Patrol; and
WHEREAS, on February 18, 2011, Berry was appointed Chief of the Mississippi Highway Patrol by Governor Haley Barbour and promoted to the rank of Colonel. "Berry's knowledge of law enforcement guidelines, combined with his on-the-street experience, will serve him well as the head of the state's highway patrol," Governor Barbour said; and
WHEREAS, we can never repay our debt to law enforcement officers and their families. We must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to their service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the professional law enforcement service of Mississippi Highway Patrol Director Colonel Donnell Berry on the occasion of his retirement, and extend our best wishes to Colonel Donnell Berry and his family in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Colonel Donnell Berry, forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Governor, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.