Richard Mays, Jr., who has recently taken on the position of Chief of the Bay Springs Police Department was earlier this week honored by the Mississippi Highway Patrol for his years of service.
Mays was honored with a Certificate of Retirement from the administrative staff of MHP Troop H, which was presented to him by newly appointed Lieutenant Colonel Malachi Sanders.
Mays recently retired from MHP with over 25 years of dedicated service to the State of Mississippi and was honored during an awards ceremony held at MHP Troop H in Meridian, Miss.
Lt. Colonel Sanders, along with the upper level management of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, is very appreciative of Mays and the hard work and proven leadership he has provided since 1995.
Since his retirement, Mays was appointed by the Mayor and City Council to Chief of Police for the City of Bay Springs to continue doing what he loves; helping others.
Mays is also a retired military service member who has dedicated over 30 years of service to the United States of America. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1988 where he served four active duty years with USMC. He then went on to serve nine active duty years with the United States Army. His remaining active duty service time was based at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Miss.
During his time, Mays was stationed or deployed all over the world (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq and several other locations). He served in several tours throughout different capacities, including those in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and many others.
Throughout his military and law enforcement career, Mays is considered a true American Hero among his peers and all who know him.
Mays also received many awards over the years while being a State Trooper with the Mississippi Highway Patrol.