Mike Bryant Honored by VPD at His Retirement

VICKSBURG, Miss – Deputy Chief Mike Bryant was honored by the VPD at his retirement celebration today.

Police Chief Penny Jones hosted a retirement celebration this morning at the Vicksburg Police Department. Deputy Chief Mike Bryant was honored for his 32 years of service to the Vicksburg community.

The packed room included Mayor George Flaggs, Alderman TJ Mayfield, and Alderman Alex Monsour. The current command staff of the VPD and numerous VPD officers were there. Several former and current officers who have worked with Bryant over the years were also in attendance.

Always calm and level-headed

Some of those coworkers shared remembrances of working with Deputy Chief Bryant. Retired VPD Lt. Billy Brown spoke about Bryant’s calm demeanor and always keeping a level head, even in difficult situations. Retired Deputy Chief and current Warren County Chief Deputy Bobby Stewart echoed Brown’s sentiments. “If something didn’t go the way I thought it should, I’d go to Mike’s office and unload on him. He’d listen calmly and then say, ‘You may want to consider…” The crowd laughed at the contrast in personalities, with Stewart adding, “I’d walk from his office across the building to the other end where investigations were, and by the time I got there, I was thinking, well, you know, Mike might have a point.”

In the program leaflet, Chief Jones said of Bryant, “Throughout his distinguished career, Deputy Chief Bryant has served in numerous capacities, contributing to the growth and success of our department. His tenure spanned across several divisions, including Patrol, Internal Affairs, and Administration.” Jones also wrote, “A pivotal figure in our department’s journey, Deputy Chief Bryant played a key role in the accreditation process that elevated our department to nationally recognized standards. His dedication to excellence, unwavering loyalty to his job, and commitment to the safety and well-being of the Vicksburg community have been nothing short of exemplary.”

Wall of Heroes

During the ceremony, the assembled crowd moved to the lobby of the VPD, where Deputy Chief Bryant was added to the Wall Of Heroes. He is only the second person so honored by the Vicksburg Police Department, joining Doug Arp on the Wall. Chief Jones quipped, “Now you’ll always be here.”

Chief Jones concluded with, “On behalf of the entire Vicksburg Police Department, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Deputy Chief Bryant for his service, leadership, and dedication. We wish him all the best as he begins this next chapter of his life, and we will certainly miss his presence within our department.”