House Concurrent Resolution 48

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED AND MERITORIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OF STARKVILLE POLICE CHIEF REYNOLDS "FRANK" NICHOLS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after approximately 28 years of service as a veteran law enforcement officer with the City of Starkville Police Department, which included having served time as a patrolman before scaling the ranks, serving in various operations and administrative capacities, and ultimately his appointment as Chief of Police for the City of Starkville on February 4, 2014, Chief Reynolds "Frank" Nichols will enter into the long awaited fraternity of retirement; and

WHEREAS, a decorated veteran of the United States Navy and United States Army National Guard, which from both he received honorable discharges, Chief Nichols was actively deployed to combat during Operation Desert Shield (1990) and Operation Iraqi Freedom III (2005), and his meritorious service positioned him to be the recipient of numerous medals and awards, including the: Army Commendation Medal; Combat Action Badge (engaged by enemy fire while in Bagdad August 2005); Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/M Device; Army Service Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal (two-time recipient); Navy Unit Commendation; Iraq Campaign Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal (two-time recipient); Sailor of the Month; and the Desert Hero Award; and

WHEREAS, Chief Nichols commenced his career with the Starkville Police Department on December 21, 1992, and completed official training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer Training Academy in March 1993, which placed him on the trajectory of chieftainship, and which would entail an exhibition of stalwart leadership in the various roles he was assigned during his tenure with the department, from patrolman, to patrol sergeant, to detective sergeant, to administrative lieutenant, to administrative captain, to operations captain, and most importantly, as chief; and

WHEREAS, equipped with a robust educational background and certified training, Chief Nichols holds an associate's degree from East Mississippi Community College, a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Mississippi University and a master's degree in criminal justice from Troy University E-Campus, which are further complimented by additional professional development certifications from the Mississippi Command College (facilitated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation), a graduate certificate in criminal justice from the University of Virginia and completion of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy; and

WHEREAS, as an individual with deep community ties, Chief Nichols has demonstrated the utmost professionalism, ability and integrity, earning the unbridled respect and admiration of his colleagues, fellow officers, elected officials and a grateful public through his affiliation with various professional, civic and community-minded organizations, including: Bethel Missionary Baptist Church; Rising Star Masonic Lodge #31; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; American Legion Post #240; Veterans of Foreign War (V.F.W.); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA); Mississippi Associations of Chiefs of Police; and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Executive Board Member; and

WHEREAS, in addition to fulfilling his duties and responsibilities as head law enforcement officer for Starkville, Chief Nichols also donned his educator's cap as an adjunct instructor and lectured for East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Delta Law Enforcement Training Academy; and

WHEREAS, throughout his estimable career, Chief Nichols exemplified the values of hard work, compassion, and devotion to his community that are characteristic of a true public servant and diligent officer of the law, whose honors are worth mentioning, including: numerous police commendation medals; 2016 induction into the Starkville High School Hall of Fame; 2016 Outstanding Professional of the Year by the Southern Criminal Justice Association; Oktibbeha County Branch of NAACP 2016 Community Achievement Award; 2015 induction into the Rising Star Masonic Lodge #31 Wall of Fame 2015; Lifetime Achievement Award; 2012 H.M. Thompson Distinguished Humanitarian Award; a feature on episode 4 of the National syndicated series "Find Our Missing" on TVOne in 2012; 2009 Masonic Man of the Year for Rising Star Lodge #31; inclusion in the 2008 Starkville/Oktibbeha County's Top 40 Under 40; Phi Beta Sigma Man of the Year (Delta Upsilon Sigma Chapter); and Alpha Theta Chi National Honor Society (MSU); and

WHEREAS, as an officer of the law, Chief Nichols unflinchingly faced danger on a daily basis and bravely put himself in risky situations with life-or-death consequences, so that the people of Starkville could rest comfortably in the knowledge that they were safe in their homes, particularly his own two sons, Reynolds and Jaxsen; and

WHEREAS, our state and country have been blessed with courageous law enforcement officers willing to sacrifice their personal safety and concerns to ensure the safety of our citizenry, and the Hospitality State is especially proud to claim Chief Nichols, who has performed above and beyond the call of duty throughout his tenure with the Starkville Police Department, as one of our own; and

WHEREAS, it is also the policy of this Legislature to honor exemplary citizens of Chief Nichols' esteemed caliber and selfless generosity, who have risked their lives to protect and preserve the public safety in every capacity of service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the distinguished and meritorious law enforcement career of Starkville Police Chief Reynolds "Frank" Nichols upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend best wishes of the Legislature for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Chief Reynolds "Frank" Nichols and to the members of the Capital Press Corps.