Bill Text: MS SC529 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend the law enforcement career of former Sheriff Malcolm (Mac) McMillin and extend the condolences of the Legislature.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)
Status: (Passed) 2017-01-31 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC529 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC529-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Horhn, Blount, Norwood, Barnett, DeBar, Dearing, Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Michel
Senate Concurrent Resolution 529
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER OF LONGTIME HINDS COUNTY SHERIFF MALCOLM E. "MAC" MCMILLIN AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS BEREAVED FAMILY ON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of respected former Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm E. "Mac" McMillin on December 22, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Mac was born in 1944 in Natchez, Mississippi, to John West and Clara Cupit McMillin. He attended Natchez-Adams High School, and Natchez Mayor Troy Watkins and a local doctor took an interest in "Mousey," as he was known to his friends, and urged him at an early age to join the Air Force in 1963. He often joked that he took his senior trip to Vietnam. Between tours, Mac and his high school sweetheart, Delores Lott, married. After completing three tours of duty in Vietnam, Mac returned to Natchez in 1966, and he and Delores started their family; and
WHEREAS, Mac and Delores moved to Jackson in 1969. In 1971, Mac was one of approximately 30 men selected from a pool of 632 applicants to go through the Jackson Police Department's Training Academy. During his time with the Jackson Police Department, Mac was instrumental in establishing the department's first crime watch program and was the founder and first President of the Jackson Police Officer's Association. He also worked to establish the Crime Stopper's Program and was selected Patrolman of the Year in 1983, receiving the prestigious Billy Hickman Award. While Mac was working for the Jackson Police Department, he earned his degree at Mississippi College in Clinton; and
WHEREAS, beyond Mac's work with the Jackson Police Department, his life in public service included stints as Hinds County Constable, Administrative Assistant to the Parole Board, and "Door Gorilla" for the George Street Grocery. Through those endeavors, Mac remained active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 480) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Local 891). He was also a Master Mason at Hinds Lodge #628 F&AM Masonic Lodge, Raymond, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, when he ran for Sheriff in 1991, Mac did so with the belief that there was more to being Sheriff than just filling up the jails. As Sheriff, he expanded the Penal Farm, Patrol Division, K-9 Unit, Narcotics Unit, and expanded and modernized the Sheriff's Department Reserve Unit, requiring volunteer deputies to receive training and certification. Mac also established a DUI Unit, Juvenile Unit and Mounted Patrol. Mac believed in law and order, but also in second chances. He took pride in the programs he established that helped the men and women housed in jail, including GED/Adult education programs, Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous, the Second Chance Choir, and the Hinds County Penal Farm Firefighting Unit (Firefox). Mac also utilized inmate labor to help the community, assigning work crews to clean up streets and allowing trustees to work for local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, Stewpot Community Services, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Willowood, New Stage Theatre, and numerous other community service organizations. He participated in and assisted with so many projects with the Junior League of Jackson that the ladies made him an Honorary Member, and they gave him the t-shirt to prove it. Mac was particularly proud of the men, women and youth whom he encountered who made the most of the second chance he believed everyone deserved; and
WHEREAS, Mac was elected to five terms as Hinds County Sheriff. After leaving the Sheriff's Department in 2011, Mac, an outspoken Democrat, was appointed by his friend, Governor Phil Bryant, to Chairman of the State Parole Board in 2012. Mac retired in 2013. Mac also enjoyed the distinction of being the only person to simultaneously hold the offices of both Hinds County Sheriff and Jackson Police Chief; and
WHEREAS, Mac loved the arts: literature, photography, music and theater. He was an accomplished local actor, appearing in 16 productions at New Stage Theatre over a span of 30 years. His last appearance at New Stage was as Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," a role he had played 30 years earlier on the same stage. Mac received the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award from the National Philanthropist Society. He was also honored as Mississippi College's Alumnus of the Year in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Mac was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Delores Lott McMillin; three children: Malcolm Christopher McMillin (Caroline), Andrew McMillin (Kate), and Mollie Thompson (Zach); grandchildren: Conner, Cooper, Ian, Edy, Charley and Lottie; sister, Joanne Dukes; Godson, Aaron Hale; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Mac was a longtime and faithful member of St. Columb's Episcopal Church in Ridgeland; and
WHEREAS, in honor of the memory of Sheriff McMillin, we should live our lives in a way that pays tribute to law enforcement officers every day and not only in the wake of loss. We cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen whose wit and wisdom will be missed by all Mississippians:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the law enforcement career of longtime Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm E. "Mac" McMillin, and extend the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to his bereaved family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Sheriff McMillin, forwarded to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
