On behalf of the Board of Directors for the Mississippi State Troopers Association, we would like to welcome a new arrival to the patrol family from Troop F.  Amanda Martin had a beautiful baby girl named Amy Lyn Martin on November, 29, 2009.  Baby Amy Lynn was born at 8:33 a.m. and weighted 4 lbs and 11 oz.  Both mom and baby are doing well.  She’s just in time to enjoy her very first Christmas.  Congratulations!

We are happy to announce that Trooper Josh Smith and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of a bouncing little baby boy. His name is Bryson Lane Smith and was born on September 2, 2009. He weighed 4 lbs 10oz, and was 17 1/2 inches long.  On behalf of the Mississippi State Troopers Association board of directors as well as the entire Highway Patrol family, we welcome little Bryson Lane Smith to our family and are glad that mom and baby are doing well.

RICK’S TROOPERS NEVER GIVE UP! That’s the message that Lori Garrison, Trooper Rick Garrison’s widow, wants to take all the way to Memphis, Tennessee this weekend.  On Saturday, October 17, in Memphis, the “Walk to Defeat ALS” will begin.  Walkers will need to be there by 10:00 a.m. to check-in and the three mile walk begins at 11 a.m.  Lori has put together a team of troopers that will sport t-shirts that say, “Rick’s Troopers NEVER Give Up!” The Walk to Defeat ALS will raise money to support research to help find a cure for those with ALS.  So, here’s the challenge!  1) Come to Memphis this weekend and walk for Rick; or 2) Click on the web site here for ALS and help raise money to find a cure.  Here’s what Lori has to say about our team, Rick’s Troopers NEVER Give Up:  Thank you for visiting our team page! Rick lost his battle with ALS in February of this year. We miss him with all our heats. Rick never gave up, never lost his smile, and fought his disease with more faith and courage than I could comprehend. During our fight, the ALS Association made such a difference in our lives. The ALS Association is the only not-for-profit organization solely dedicated to the fight against ALS. They provide cutting edge research, advocacy, counseling and support groups, equipment loan programs, respite care funding, as well as many other services to the families who are dealing daily with trials of ALS. Please join us in this fight, either by donating and/or joining our team. I can’t think of a better way to honor Rick than to make a difference in the lives of other families who have been devastated by this disease. It’s our prayer that through our combined efforts, we CAN defeat ALS! And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (Photographed here is Trooper Rick Garrison with his girls just before his diagnosis with ALS.)

Trooper Toy Pharr of Troop F obviously has his hands full!  Aside from the obvious fact that his hands are really full from holding two beautiful baby boys… wait until you see WHO these babies are!  The little baby on the right of this photo, is the son of Trooper Pharr and his wife Pam.  This little one was born on August 29, 2008, and his name is John Greyson Pharr!  The little baby on the left in the photo was born on March 25, 2009, and his name is Colleen Monroe Pharr!  You guessed it - they ARE NOT twins… would you believe that the little boy on the right is Trooper Pharr’s son, and the baby on the left is his grandson!  Since they can’t have “sibling” rivalry… wonder what we’d call it? Congratulations to Trooper Toy Pharr and his wife Pam on the birth of their son, John Greyson Pharr and on the birth of their grandson, Colleen Monroe Pharr.  On behalf of the board of directors for the Mississippi State Troopers, we say welcome to the greater highway patrol family!