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LCLEOA President Queen Jones presented the Officer of the Year award to Capt. Jarrett Bundren. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

Queen Jones, left, and Deputy Eric Morgan. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

The Empty Table was set up in honor of fallen police officers. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

MS Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell

Photo from LCLEOA Facebook

Queen Jones and Jaden Pegues, winner of the Youth Character Award for Lafayette County School District. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

Rookie of the Year Deputy Caroline Fuller. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

Support Personnel of the Year: Shelby Hernandez and Queen Jones. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

Communications Officer of the Year John Smith and Queen Jones. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

Supervisor of the Year Sgt. Hoby James and Queen Jones. Photo by Alyssa Schnugg

On a daily basis, Capt. Jarrett Bundren deals with the darker side of humanity as head of investigations for the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. He’s seen it all – murder, abuse, assault, robbery and more.

Yet it took winning Officer of the Year at the annual Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officer Association’s award ceremony to rattle him just a bit.

Bundren accepted the award with a smile and a wave but admitted he was too choked up to make a speech.

He wasn’t the only one. Deputy Chief Scott Mills’s voice cracked a few times while presenting Bundren with the award. Mills read the nomination letter that was submitted, recommending Bundren for the award.

“I have personally witnessed him on many occasions, bravery, preparedness and willingness to move forward in many so dangerous situations and his skills and sharpness moved him up quickly to team leader for the SWAT team,” Mills read. “I will put him and his team up against any investigative unit in our state. He is respected and admired by the entire sheriff’s office.”

The annual banquet was held on Thursday, July 18, at the Oxford Conference Center. The event is held so the association can hand out awards while allowing officers to enjoy a catered dinner by Taylor Grocery Catering, enjoy each other’s company and conduct a little business, such as voting in new board members.

However, this year was even more special as it was the LCLEOA’s 25th anniversary.

Lafayette County Academy Director retired OPD officer Chuck Jenkins thanked past presidents of the association and presented each with a gift.

MS Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell was the guest speaker and spoke on the importance of mental health for officers and making sure to find a balance between work and home life, and encouraged the officer to ask for help when needed, live a healthy lifestyle, have hobbies, take classes and spend time with family and friends.

The Medal of Valor award was given to Deputy Eric Morgan for his heroic actions in pursuing suspects after a burglary at The Range at TGC Outdoors in Abbeville on April 5.

Morgan was in the area when the call came over the radio about a burglary at The Range. He saw a suspicious vehicle and pursued it. During the chase, the suspects in the vehicle opened fire at Morgan; however, he was not injured and chased the suspects until they entered Marshall County and disappeared.

“This deputy showed unwavering bravery in chasing his vehicle,” said Lt. LJ McNece. “Never called off the pursuit, never stopped. His determination ultimately led to less than five hours later, three suspects being arrested and all items that were stolen from the store were covered.”

Morgan said he was surprised when his name was called and never expected it. He said he was just doing his job.

“I’m honored to have received it and I’d do it again for our community,” Morgan said.

Along with officers, other awards were presented to supervisors, staff, and also two area high school students who won the Youth Character Awards. The winners were Grace Brown from Oxford School District, who did not attend the banquet, and Jaden Pegues from Lafayette County School District.

Pegues thanked God and his family.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them,” he said. “I work hard every day, in school, outside of school and pray every night. It’s all God.”

Other awards given out during the banquet were:

Supervisor of the Year – Hoby James

Communications Officer of the Year – John Smith

Rookie of the Year – Caroline Fuller

Support Personnel of the Year – Shelby Hernandez

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