One of the greatest attributes of great leaders is that they value their organization's needs above their own, even when it comes to their own departure.  We have been blessed in the City of Southaven with the leadership of Police Chief Tom Long and Fire Chief Ron White. On January 22, 2016, both will conclude their service to our City.  Both have set high standards for their respective departments and developed quality personnel to lead us into the future.  Two of these were officially named Tuesday night.

Police Chief Steve Pirtle

Current Deputy Chief Steve Pirtle was hired by the Southaven Police Department as a police officer on December 10, 1982.  He was promoted to Sergeant on October 1, 1986; Lieutenant on April 10, 1989; Captain on November 14, 1996; and to his current position of Deputy Chief on January 1,1999.  He graduated from the FBI National Academy for Law Enforcement on September 6, 1994 and has received numerous accolades during his career for service above and beyond the call of duty.

Fire Chief Roger Thornton  

Current Deputy Chief Roger Thornton was hired by the Southaven Fire Department as a firefighter on June 1, 1980.  He was promoted to Station 1 "A" Shift Commander on January 1, 1983; Captain on October 1, 1985; and to his current position of Deputy Chief on May 18, 2010.  He has both graduated from and served as an instructor for an extensive list of fire training schools and received numerous accolades during his career for service above and beyond the call of duty.

Both of these men are not only extremely experienced and talented, but men of outstanding character that will represent our City well.