MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Moran, Butler, Barnett, Blackwell, Branning, Caughman, DeBar, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), McMahan, Simmons (13th), Thompson
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FALLEN OFFICER, HANCOCK COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF LIEUTENANT MICHAEL ANTHONY BOUTTE, SR., WHO WAS LOST IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON FEBRUARY 1, 2021, AND COMMENDING HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, we join the family of Lieutenant Michael Anthony Boutte, Sr., and the citizens of Hancock County in mourning the loss of this fallen officer who was lost in the line of duty after responding to a call in the Town of Necaise on February 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Boutte, a United States Air Force Veteran, served in Operation Desert Storm before attending the United States Marine Corps Police Academy and later served in the reserves in New Orleans. Lieutenant Boutte also previously worked for the Picayune Police Department, the Pearl River County School District and the Pearl River County Sheriff's Department; and
WHEREAS, during his eight years of service with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Lieutenant Boutte was awarded the Life Saving Medal for saving the life of a child and was credited for establishing the Silver Alert Database in Diamondhead; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Boutte was always smiling and exuded positivity. Hancock Sheriff Adam said "the Hancock County Sheriff's Office suffered a huge loss, Mike was an incredible deputy and a fine person. He was a mentor to our younger deputies and our thoughts, prayers and hearts go out to his family and loved ones"; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Boutte is survived by his wife Jennifer; his children: Jessica Boutte and Michael Boutte, Jr., (Brittany); stepdaughter, Alexis Russell; grandchildren: Madison, Roscoe, Elionora, Michael, III, Makensie, Aryah and Barrett; father, James Boutte; father-in-law, Ron Kidner; and his brothers and sisters: David and Wendy Boutte, Mark Andrews, Anita Camp, Anitra Newton and Nina Boutte. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Andrews; and
WHEREAS, we can never repay our debt to these fallen officers and their families, but we must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to their memory. We should not pause and remember to thank law enforcement officers only in the wake of tragedy, we should do it every day:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to the bereaved family of fallen Officer, Hancock County Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant Michael Anthony Boutte, Sr., who was lost in the line of duty on February 1, 2021, and commend his law enforcement service to the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Lieutenant Boutte, forwarded to the Sheriff of Hancock County and the Mississippi Highway Patrol and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.