By Staff
OFFICERS OF THE YEAR Officers receiving the Meridian Exchange Club's Crime Prevention Awards were, from left, Meridian police officer Reid Campbell, Lauderdale County sheriff's deputy John Calhoun and Sgt. Willie Craft of the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Photo by Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
Feb. 28, 2001
A drug bust almost caused Lauderdale County sheriff's deputy John Calhoun to be late for a luncheon Tuesday in which he was the guest of honor.
Calhoun was one of three local law enforcement officers honored during the Meridian Exchange Club's Crime Prevention Awards luncheon at Rush Foundation Hospital.
When Calhoun checked the car, he found a small amount of marijuana and cocaine.
Other officers being honored were Sgt. Willie Craft of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and senior police officer Reid Campbell of the Meridian Police Department.
Calhoun, whose grandfather, Bill Rush Mosby, served as sheriff of Lauderdale County, has been a deputy in Lauderdale County for about two years. He is a graduate of Belhaven College and sold cars in Jackson for six years before coming back home. His brother and fellow deputy, Ward Calhoun, let him know about an opening back home.
Sgt. Craft, an 18-year veteran of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, was pleased with the honor, especially since he was selected by his peers. Craft patrols in Newton County. He is a native of Hickory and now lives in Scott County.
Officer Campbell, who is originally from Georgia, started his law enforcement career five years ago after coming out of the U.S. Army. He started in the Macon Police Department and has been in Meridian for two years.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.