On Wednesday, May 16, Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest received the George Phillips Public Service Award at the Top Cop Luncheon held at the Trade Mart Center.
The George Phillips Public Service Award was established in January of 2015 in honor of the youngest and longest serving United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi–George Phillips. Previous recipients are Marshall Fisher in 2015, Sheriff Martin Pace in 2016, and Jesse Bingham in 2017. The Top Cop Luncheon is a part of National Police Week and provides an opportunity to honor fallen law enforcement officers, their families and the officers in Central Mississippi who are named “Top Cops” for exemplary actions in the line of duty.
Michael Guest addressed the large crowd gathered after being presented the award. “It is an honor to be standing before you to receive the George Phillips Public Service Award,” Guest said. “He was a man who was a legend within the law enforcement community. This is not an individual award. I wish to recognize my staff, my lawyers, my investigators and my support staff for their hard work. But more importantly, I would like to thank our law enforcement officials. The District Attorney’s office would be able to do nothing without the hard work of our men and women in law enforcement. I have the ability to partner with our law enforcement to see that our communities are safer and that they remain great places to live, worship and raise a family. I want to thank our men and women of law enforcement for your service, your dedication, your commitment and your sacrifice. I will continue to keep you in my prayers each and every day, and I will continue to pray that we will never have to add another name to the wall of fallen officers.”
The fallen officers who were honored during the event were Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff Donald William Durr and Quitman County Deputy Sheriff James E. Clark. Deputy Sheriff Donald William Durr was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance call in Bogue Chitto. Deputy Sheriff James E. Clark was killed in a single vehicle crash while responding to a shooting call. Widows, widowers, and family members of fallen law enforcement officers were also recognized.
Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones was presented the Jim Ingram Lifetime Achievement Award for his service. Previous recipients are Linda Wooley of the Jackson Police Department in 2007, Commissioner Jim Ingram in 2008, United States Marshal Nehemiah Flowers in 2009, former Lt. Governor Phil Bryant in 2010, Bureau of Narcotics Director Marshall Fisher in 2011, Madison Chief Gene Waldrop in 2012, Chief Don Byington in 2013, Chief Walter Tucker in 2014, Commissioner Albert Santa Cruz in 2015, Pat Cronin in 2016 and Chief Walter Armstrong in 2017.
Michael Guest is the current District Attorney for Madison and Rankin counties. Prior to becoming District Attorney in 2008, he served 12 years as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting hundreds of cases. Since 2008, District Attorney Guest and his office prosecuted 20,000 criminals, supported law enforcement agencies by providing them with more than $20 million dollars in money recovered from drug dealers, and successfully recovering more than $3.5 million dollars in the bad check unit to help local merchants and businesses. District Attorney Guest serves as President of the Foundation for Rankin County Public Schools and serves on the Boards of the State and Central Mississippi Crime Stoppers. For more information about Michael Guest, visit www.MichaelGuest.ms
Michael Guest Campaign Press Release
5/16/2018
Sarah Ulmer
