Senate, house honor sheriff for dedication

Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson was tapped for recognition by the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives for his outstanding service to the community and state following the kidnapping and recovery of a child living in the Laws Hill community in July.

Following a highly organized, 24-hour investigation led by Dickerson and with the aid of numerous other state agencies, the child was found alive and Michael Wallace Pruitt was arrested and charged in the incident.

State Sen. Ralph Doxey and Rep. Kelvin Buck presented the resolution signed by Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, house speaker Billy McCoy and Doxey, the originator of the resolution, at the September 5 board of supervisors’ meeting.

A concurrent resolution citing the heroic action of Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson and recognizing his contribution to law enforcement in the State of Mississippi.

Whereas, on July 22, 2006, Marshall County Sheriff Kenneth A. Dickerson led an exhausting 24-hour investigation by Mississippi Highway Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agents in locating 6-year-old Morgan Shaw, who had been shot and left to die in a Mississippi field. Her accused kidnapper led Sheriff Dickerson’s team to the crime site 30 miles away; and

Whereas, as a result of the quick professional response and heroic efforts of Sheriff Dickerson and his law enforcement team, this brave, resilient little girl was rescued from certain death; and

Whereas, prior to this action, Sheriff Dickerson has received much well-deserved recognition and thanks for his unselfish action including;

Personal acknowledgement from President Richard M. Nixon in 1973 for bravery and heroic service beyond the call of duty;
Selection as Officer of the Year for 1974 by the Mississippi Highway Patrol for bravery and heroic rescue in the line of duty in the rescue of Curtis Pitner from a burning home on January 25, 1973;
Presentation of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 583 (1974) and presentation of the Outstanding Mississippian Award from Governor Bill Waller in 1974 for the Pitner incident; and

Whereas, Sheriff Dickerson successfully graduated from the U.S. Army Missile School at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama in 1973, was promoted to the Criminal Investigation Unit in the Mississippi Highway Patrol in 1979, was promoted to the North Mississippi District Superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Division in 1983, graduated from the FBI National Academy in 1984, retired from the Mississippi Highway Patrol in 1995, and was elected Marshall County Sheriff where he is presently in his third term; and

Whereas, it is with great pride we recognize the dedication and special accomplishments of this individual whose personal courage has brought credit upon the law enforcement community of the State of Mississippi:

Now, therefore be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Mississippi, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that we do hereby cite the heroic action of Marshall County Sheriff Kenneth A. Dickerson in rescuing 6-year-old Morgan Shaw on July 22, 2006, and recognize his contribution to law enforcement in the State of Mississippi, and the credit he reflects by his action.

Be it further resolved, That this resolution be presented to Sheriff Kenneth A. Dickerson and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

Adopted by the Senate
August 24, 2006
Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck
President of the Senate

Adopted by the House of Representatives
August 25, 2006
William J. McCoy
Speaker of the House of Representatives

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