House Concurrent Resolution 48

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF CHIEF M.E. "GENE" WALDROP UPON HIS 50 YEARS OF POLICE SERVICE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Chief M.E. "Gene" Waldrop has served the State of Mississippi with 50 years of police service, with strong determination and an exceptional work ethic; and

WHEREAS, Chief Waldrop began his law enforcement career with the Greenville, Mississippi, Police Department in 1971 as a patrol officer; during his 20-year career with the agency, in which he supervised and led all aspects of the department, he established himself as a leader within the organization, retiring as its Chief of Police in 1991; and

WHEREAS, in addition to keeping Greenville and the surrounding region safe from crime, Chief Waldrop was also dedicated to the overall safety of the public; and with minimal funding, he was able to create an Emergency Services/Rescue Unit responsible for responding to serious automobile and farm equipment accidents as well as swift-water and underwater rescue incidents; and

WHEREAS, his unit provided rescue training to not only Greenville officers, but other first responders in the region; and through volunteer fund raising efforts, the unit was able to establish funding for much needed emergency equipment and resources; and

WHEREAS, in support of his brothers and sisters in the fire service, Chief Waldrop aided in the establishment of the Mississippi Firefighters' Memorial Burn Center Association, serving as the Vice-President of the Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement from Greenville, Chief Waldrop, ever more willing to serve, was appointed as the Chief of Police of the City of Madison; and during his public service in Madison, Chief Waldrop continued his dedication to crime prevention and public safety by establishing many of the same programs and divisions he instituted in Greenville; and this included creation of a Disaster Recovery Plan, establishing a Mobile Communications and Command Post Unit, Special Response and Disaster Response Teams, a Traffic Unit as well as a Narcotics and K9 Unit; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to professionalism within the organizations he served, in 2002, Chief Waldrop oversaw and achieved national law enforcement accreditation for the Madison Police Department; and 20 years later, under Chief Waldrop's direction, the Madison Police Department continues the distinction of being advanced law enforcement accredited by the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., as well as the Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission; and

WHEREAS, through his leadership efforts, the City of Madison has continually been rated as the Safest City in Mississippi by several crime prevention organizations; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his exceptional law enforcement record, Chief Waldrop served as Staff Sergeant, Armor Communications, Headquarters Company, 198 Armor Division, and Mississippi National Guard from 1969 to 1975 before being honorably discharged; and

WHEREAS, his educational achievements include graduating from the Louisiana State University Law Enforcement Institute,

the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and the FBI Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development School; and

WHEREAS, Chief Waldrop has contributed to a great number of associations, including past president, active member, FBI National Academy Associates, Mississippi Chapter; past president, lifetime member, Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police; lifetime member, International Association of Chiefs of Police; previous board member, Southern Regional Public Safety Institute, University of Southern Mississippi; faculty member/instructor, Mississippi FBI Command College; past chairperson, Mississippi Peace Officers Standards and Training Board; board member, Mississippi Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and recipient of the 2012 Jim Ingram Lifetime Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the steadfast devotion to public service that Chief Gene Waldrop has bestowed upon the citizens of Mississippi in his 50 years in law enforcement:

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 career and meritorious leadership and service of Chief M.E. "Gene" Waldrop upon 50 years of police service and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Chief M.E. "Gene" Waldrop and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.