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H. R. No. 90 *HR26/R2663* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Rushing
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 90
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CHIEF CLAY GARVIN 1
OF THE DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT UPON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF HIS 2
RETIREMENT. 3
WHEREAS, Mr. Clay Garvin, Chief of the Decatur Police 4
Department, is being honored and celebrated upon the special 5
occasion of his retirement, effective March 31, 2026, after 6
serving over 20 years in law enforcement, which has been executed 7
with professional conduct, integrity and devotion; and 8
WHEREAS, Chief Garvin's devotion to public service began in 9
1993, after feeling a need to serve this great country, he 10
enlisted in the United States Army and completed basic training at 11
Fort Benning in Georgia; and 12
WHEREAS, after completing basic training, Chief Garvin was 13
assigned to the prestigious 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old 14
Guard) serving in Alpha Company, Commander-in-Chief's Guard; and 15
WHEREAS, while serving with The Old Guard, Chief Garvin had 16
the distinct honor of participating in full-honor military funeral 17
services at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was a member of 18
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a full honor firing party that rendered final military honors to 19
fallen service members; and 20
WHEREAS, Chief Garvin's role as a member of a full honor 21
firing party, he upheld the highest traditions of discipline, 22
precision and respect that define the United States Army's 23
ceremonial mission for fallen service members, and this role also 24
instilled in him a deep commitment to service, professionalism and 25
attention to detail that would later guide him as he embarked upon 26
his law enforcement career; and 27
WHEREAS, after his military service, in 2005, Chief Garvin 28
began his law enforcement career with the Newton Police Department 29
under the leadership of Chief Harvey Curry, and he completed the 30
police academy at Mississippi Delta Community College Law 31
Enforcement Training Academy, where he earned his certification 32
and prepared for full-time service in public safety; and 33
WHEREAS, in May of 2006, Chief Garvin joined the Decatur 34
Police Department under Chief Joedy Pennington, and he served this 35
community until November 2007 before joining the Union Police 36
Department, where he served until April of 2012 under Chief Billy 37
Pat Walker; and 38
WHEREAS, notably, while serving under various chiefs over the 39
years before taking the helm at the Decatur Police Department, 40
Chief Garvin gained invaluable experience in patrol operations, 41
investigations and community policing - all of which would later 42
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assist him in his leadership role as police chief of the Town of 43
Decatur; and 44
WHEREAS, Chief Garvin, after returning to the Decatur Police 45
Department in April of 2012, under the leadership of Chief 46
Pennington, a year later, he was appointed assistant chief of 47
police, where he oversaw departmental operations, supported 48
officer development and worked to strengthen community 49
relationships; and 50
WHEREAS, in December of 2019, after serving over six years as 51
assistant chief, Chief Garvin was appointed Chief of Police of the 52
Decatur Police Department, where he was entrusted with the overall 53
leadership, administration and strategic direction of the police 54
department; and 55
WHEREAS, throughout his effective leadership of the Decatur 56
Police Department, Chief Garvin has guided the agency through 57
modern law enforcement challenges while simultaneously maintaining 58
a steadfast commitment to professionalism, accountability and 59
community service - all of which have been hallmarks of his 60
distinguished tenure; and 61
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 62
commend and honor a selfless servant leader such as Chief Clay 63
Garvin whose military service to this country as well as his 64
service as the chief law enforcement officer in Decatur, 65
Mississippi, stands as a role model for others and will never be 66
forgotten by those he served: 67
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ST: Police Chief Clay Garvin; commend upon
retirement as the Town of Decatur's police
chief.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 68
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 69
commend and congratulate Chief Clay Garvin upon the special 70
occasion of his retirement as Chief of Police for the Town of 71
Decatur and wish him continued success in all his future 72
endeavors. 73
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 74
furnished to Police Chief Clay Garvin and to the members of the 75
Capitol Press Corps. 76