mstroopers.com

Cunningham Says Heartfelt “THANK YOU!”

governor — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:10:11 +0000

(An Open THANK YOU Note from Trooper Jeff Cunningham) I want to thank everyone for the prayers, visits, calls, concern and support that has been given to me and my family during this time. It’s been five weeks since my accident, and I am continuing on the long road to recovery from the injuries I sustained. The support I have received from my fellow troopers - my second family - has made my recovery efforts less stressful, as I was comfortable knowing that my family was being provided for and taken care of from day-to-day. My friends and family were amazed at the awesome amount of support that I have received from troopers and other first responders from all over the state. It was difficult to explain to non-trooper families the level of commitment, the loyalty and camaraderie of the “Red Legs.” It did not have to be explained, because it was just shown. We know that three things are going to happen when a trooper is called: (1) they are going to come; (2) they are going to come fast; and (3) things are going to change when they get there. All three happened with me, and I cannot tell you how much I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU FOR IT. After a month in the hospital, I am finally home and working on out-patient rehab. I am recovering very quickly and hope to be back at work soon. (Tell Ralph Smith about two weeks!)

Sincerely,

Jeff Cunningham, F-46

We Owned the Coast: Convention 2008

governor — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:34:38 +0000

Well, you’ve been asking for them… photos from our Coast convention! Please use caution as you view the photos. Here’s what you do: click on the “photo album” tab in the box below. Then on the right-hand side you should see the (more…)

Where in the world could our Lt. Ralph Smith be?

governor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:31:37 +0000

You never know where Lt. Ralph Smith will pop up. Could be that he pops up in YOUR next photograph. Could be that he pops up at a regional motorcycle competition in some other state. Could be that he pops up at a national K9 competition. Could be that he pops up at a TCAP drug search. Could be that he pops up at a prison riot somewhere. Could be that he pops up in Washington, D.C. at the national fallen officers memorial. Could be that he pops up at a benefit for one of his guys. He has a tremendous amount of responsibility in coordinating the motorcycles, TCAP, K9’s, and the SOG team. Next time you see Ralph, be sure to ask him what happens to that darn rattlesnake under a bush hog… Or you can ask him how to bury a bunch of chickens in a coop when the power fails…(beware, this one’s a very animated story)! If it’s true that a picture paints a thousand words, then you haven’t “talked” to Ralph Smith lately!!! Could be that he just pops up where you least expect him - when you least expect him! You see, Ralph Smith is one of those guys who just seems to be everywhere. So the next time you take a photograph, look very closely… Lt. Ralph Smith might be hidden somewhere in your picture, too!

Crawford Receives 2nd Degree Burns

governor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:12:24 +0000

Over the July 4th weekend, MSTA Board Member and Trooper Steve Crawford was injured in a grilling accident at his home. Apparently, he lit the gas grill and came back to discover that the fire was not burning. Not realizing that the gas was still turned on, he tried to relight the gas grill when it exploded. The resulting explosion blew the lid off the grill and caused 2nd degree burns over his chest and arms. Steve was home for only a few days to recover after receiving medical attention for his burns. He is now back 10-8 (more…)

Our Annie Corbin Elected State Treasurer

governor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:17:35 +0000

Annie Corbin, daughter of Lynn and Freddie (F-41) Corbin, was recently elected State Treasurer for the Future Business Leaders of America organization at the State FBLA Conference in Jackson. She and the officer team and other delegates from Mississippi recently attended the National FBLA Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, they attended officer training workshops and leadership seminars. She will be serving as the Future Business Leaders of America’s Treasurer for the 2008-2009 school year. Annie attends Booneville High School and will be a junior this fall. She is also a member of FFA, FCA, National Honor Society, Anchor Club, Annual Staff and participates on the tennis team at her high school. Annie, we are very proud of your election as FBLA’s State Treasurer. Who knows . . . one day we’ll wake up and see that Annie Corbin is Mississippi’s second woman State Treasurer! On behalf of the MSTA Board and the entire trooper family - CONGRATULATIONS Annie on such an outstanding achievement!

Princess of the Patrol & Miss Mississippi, Too

governor — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:28:57 +0000

Our very own little princess, Miss Ryan Dearman has recently performed in the Miss Mississippi Pageant. She is the daughter of Trooper Wayne Dearman and Sasha, his wife. She gave a stunning dance performance during the statewide pageant. We are very proud of Miss Ryan, and she looks stunning in her tiara. When she’s older and is a contestant in the Miss Mississippi Pageant, we’ll all show up and pull for her to be crowned OUR Miss Mississippi. On behalf of the MSTA Board and the rest of the trooper family, congratulations to Ryan for a stellar performance and such a beautiful showing at the pageant. When Trooper Dearman was told that little Ryan would be breaking some hearts as she gets older, he remarked, “No, Daddy will be breaking some arms! He said she can’t date until she’s 29 and until he’s done a thorough background check on anyone who shows up at their house to take her out.” Congrats to Ryan! You’re our princess!

Harrington in a Wreck - He’s Doing Fine

governor — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:41:13 +0000

Trooper Luke Harrington, of Troop M, had an accident on June 24. He turned his vehicle around to pursue a violator heading south on I-55 in Pike County. Another vehicle made a lane change from the right lane to the left in front of Harrington. He took evasive action in order to avoid the other vehicle. After losing control of his patrol car, he ran off the left side of the south bound lane and into the median. The patrol car then went off an embankment and became airborne for a short distance before striking a tree and then landing in a creek. (more…)

Could Cancun Ever, Ever, Ever Be the Same???

governor — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:18:40 +0000

Recently, the ENTIRE Gazzo clan took a family vacation to beautiful, tropical, romantic, exotic, peaceful Cancun. On the far right in this picture, is retired Trooper Joe Gazzo, Sr. (a rare photo of Joe as he is usually the one behind the camera!). We’re told that because the Gazzo clan - which consists of children, their spouses, and all the grandkids - had so many people in their party, they had to rent a school bus to shuttle around Cancun. Wait that’s not all… when they booked their flight down, it took two planes to carry them all. Would you be surprised if we told you that they qualified for group rates when they booked their hotel rooms - which by the way took up two entire floors! In the very middle of the picture is Trooper Jason Gazzo. Jason was not really on vacation. Sources down in Cancun tell us that he was learning the art of photography from his dad, and was the other mastermind behind skulling up this trip. Don’t let Jason tell you he was on vacation. We now know that he was doing undercover work for the Highway Patrol - or was that underwater? You can’t help but wonder if the extreme “skulling” talents of Joe, Sr., were responsible for some excellent deals down in Cancun. Roomer has it that he continued his “skulling” abilities while there and now even may own Cancun! (For those of you who don’t know what “skulling” is, well, how can I possibly explain that concept. Suffice it to say, it’s a time honored tradition that every trooper must learn to master efficiently before graduating from trooper school.) So you can’t help but ask the rhetorical question - if Joe Gazzo, Sr., does in fact now OWN Cancun, could Cancun ever be the same?

Cunningham Moved to Oxford!

governor — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:35:46 +0000

UPDATE - Trooper Jeff Cunningham has now been moved from the trauma unit in Memphis to a private hospital room in Oxford. This is OUTSTANDING news! He continues to get better every day. His recovery is far from over. If you’re in the area, go stop in and check on him or call and visit with him over the phone. Keep those thoughts and prayers coming - UPDATE.

MSTA Board Member and Trooper Jeff Cunningham, out of Troop F, was severely injured yesterday afternoon (June 19). He was on his MHP motorcycle going to work a wreck in New Albany. A van pulled out in front of him causing the accident. Jeff was quickly airlifted to The Med in Memphis. After undergoing surgery late Thursday night, he is now in the ICU. For updates on his condition, we ask that you keep checking our web site or call the Trooper Store at 601.987.1458. Please keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

New Booster Seat Law Set to Take Effect

governor — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:03:38 +0000

On July 1 of this year, if a child from the age of 4 to 7 is being transported in a passenger vehicle, that child must be in a “booster seat” when traveling. (Click on the “booster seat” text to go directly to the legislation passed this year.) There additional height and weight recommendations in addition to the age ranges. The change in the child restraint section of the mandatory seat belt law was supported by the Highway Patrol and sponsored by the Mississippi Pediatric Doctors Association. The goal is to clearly protect the lives of these young children in the event of an accident. A violation of this new statute carries the same $25 fine that accompanies the other seatbelt violations. To any parents out there reading this, remember - BUCKLE UP THOSE BABIES, and that includes that precious cargo who is between the ages of 4 an 7. Buckle Up Mississippi - it’s proven to save lives!