Major David Gist; commend upon retirement after 36 years of distinguished service.

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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Carpenter

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 5

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MAJOR DAVID GIST 1
UPON HIS RETIREMENT AND HONORING HIS 36 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED 2
SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 3
WHEREAS, after a total of 36 years of exemplary service to 4
the State of Mississippi, Major David Gist retired from law 5
enforcement in December 2025, marking the end of a career but 6
cementing a legacy of honor, courage, professionalism and 7
steadfast commitment to the safety and well being of the citizens 8
of Mississippi; and 9
WHEREAS, Major Gist was born on January 5, 1967, in Würzburg, 10
Germany, to Mr. Eligh Harold Gist and the late Barbara Jean Gist, 11
and from the very start, Major Gist's life was intertwined with 12
duty and dedication, as his father was serving in the United 13
States Army at the time of his birth; and 14
WHEREAS, in 1978, the Gist family made Tishomingo County 15
their home, planting deep roots that would shape Major Gist's 16
future, and he graduated from Iuka High School in 1985, where he 17
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learned the value of integrity, perseverance and respect — 18
qualities that would guide him throughout his career; and 19
WHEREAS, Major Gist graduated from the Mississippi Law 20
Enforcement Training Academy in May 1992, beginning a career that 21
would span more than three decades, multiple agencies and various 22
leadership roles across the State of Mississippi; and 23
WHEREAS, from 1992 to 1994, Major Gist dutifully served the 24
citizens of Tishomingo County in the Tishomingo County Sheriff's 25
Department before joining the Mississippi Department of 26
Transportation (MDOT) Law Enforcement, where he was responsible 27
for transportation safety and enforcement; and 28
WHEREAS, though his path led him to the Mississippi Public 29
Service Commission in 1999, Major Gist returned to MDOT Law 30
Enforcement in 2004; and 31
WHEREAS, a testament to his deep sense of responsibility and 32
unimpeachable character, Major Gist's immense leadership skills 33
were recognized in 2014 when he was promoted to Captain, and again 34
in 2021, when he earned the rank of Major and took command of 35
Special Operations, entering a role that demanded experience, 36
steadiness and the trust of those he led; and 37
WHEREAS, Major Gist is a devoted family man and the proud 38
father of two sons, Corey Gist and Ethan Harold Gist, and for the 39
past 18 years, he has shared his life with his wife, Stacy, 40
building a home grounded in love, faith and unwavering support; 41
and 42
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ST: Major David Gist; commend upon retirement
after 36 years of distinguished service.
WHEREAS, though Major Gist has embarked on a new journey into 43
retirement, the impact of his service and sacrifice will continue 44
to be felt in the lives he touched, the officers he guided, and 45
the citizens he protected; and 46
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 47
recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians, especially those 48
such as Major David Gist, whose years of dedicated service and 49
impeccable leadership have greatly enriched his community, 50
bringing honor to the entire State of Mississippi: 51
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 52
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 53
commend and congratulate Major David Gist upon the occasion of his 54
retirement, extend deepest gratitude for his decades of 55
distinguished service to our state, and wish him continued success 56
in all his future endeavors. 57
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 58
furnished to Major David Gist and to the members of the Capitol 59
Press Corps. 60