Sheriff Pace announces promotions and hiring of Bobby Stewart as Chief Deputy

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace has confirmed to the Vicksburg Daily News that Bobby Stewart will officially join the Warren County Sheriff’s Department as the Chief Deputy on April 1, 2022.

Stewart worked for the City of Vicksburg for 34 years, with 31 of those years at the police department. He retired as Adam-2, Assistant Chief on June 30, 2021. In his resignation letter he said:

“Working alongside my colleagues in law enforcement for the past 31 years has been some the best experiences in my life.  As a valued member of the Vicksburg Police Department, I have served the citizens of Vicksburg in Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, K-9 divisions and as a member of Administration.  I have also served numerous City leaders and witnessed firsthand decisions that have positively and negatively affected the direction of the City of Vicksburg.”

Stewart told the Vicksburg Daily News, “I am looking forward to serving the community and I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and to work with Sheriff Pace and that team of law enforcement professionals at the Sheriff’s Office. I am thrilled to be able to continue to serve the citizens of Warren County.”

Bobby Stewart. (Photo by David Day)

Of Stewart’s hiring, the Sheriff said, “We’re proud to have Chief Stewart on board with the Sheriff’s Office.  He started out as a patrol officer, was promoted to Sergeant as a K-9 officer, was then promoted to Lieutenant where for 8 years he supervised the narcotics division. Then he was promoted to Captain where he was over all of the investigations. That includes general investigations, narcotics, evidence and property. Then he spent 8 years as Deputy Chief in an administrative position as the Deputy Chief of the department. In that capacity he worked not only with the operations side of the department but also with grants, budget and equipment. So he is a very well-rounded administrative officer.”

The Sheriff went on to announce promotions and new assignments today.

“Silento McMorris has 18 years in law enforcement, he has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 7 years and is currently a shift Sergeant. He has been promoted to Lieutenant and will be a patrol supervisor over the uniform patrol division.” McMorris spent 8 years of active duty in the United States Marine Corp and came out as a Sergeant.

Lt. Stacy Rollison has been in law enforcement in Warren County for 18 years and spent 11 of those years in investigations, most recently serving as a Sergeant in the investigations unit. Prior to her 18 in law enforcement, she attended Hinds Community College and had 7 years of United States Army active duty. She’s been promoted to Lieutenant over investigations and evidence.

Stacy Rollison. File photo.

Sam Winchester was with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for 6 years and has been with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years. He had 14 years in the United States Army Reserve as a Staff Sergeant. He has a Master’s degree from Alcorn State University and for years Winchester has led the WCSO boat patrol operations. He is also a certified fire investigator and has for the last several years been assigned to the Detective Unit as an Investigator. Winchester has been promoted to Lieutenant over special operations that include search and rescue, any type of open land-based search and recovery effort on land and water. He is the liaison with the Central Mississippi Overland Search Group. He will be in charge of all boat operations that not only include the law enforcement application including rivers and the harbor but also special needs for the boat such as drowning operations and things like that. He will also be coordinating much of the department’s training. Winchester is also the liaison for the Coast Guard and with Mema for operations. Winchester is, among other things, the lead driving instructor for the state police academy and Mississippi Officers Training Academy.

Lt. Sam Winchester. Photo by David Day

Linda Pugh will remain as Jail Administrator. Pugh has a Master’s degree from Alcorn and Jackson State. She has 36 years with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, over 20 of those years as Administrator of the County Jail.

Linda Pugh(Photo courtesy Linda Pugh)

Jesse Tilley will be a Lieutenant over the security and operations of the jail. He will be in charge of staffing and the security of the facility including the maintenance and the overall mechanical workmanship of the infrastructure of the jail itself. Tilley has 13 years with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the last 3 and a half years serving as a Sergeant in the patrol division. Prior to coming to Warren County Tilley worked in the jail system in New York City.

Vincent Woods has 13 years with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the last 7 have been as a Sergeant. He has been promoted to Lieutenant over all of the court services which include court bailiffs, courthouse security, civil and criminal process services such as warrants and summons, both local and out-of-state prisoner transportation including extradition.

Sgt. Vincent Woods (Photo by david day)

Sheriff Pace went on to note, “This leadership team for the department represents 153 years of experience, that’s not including me. If you factor in my 42 years that makes 195 years of law enforcement experience at the leadership of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Let me go on to say that is a team of educated, well-trained and highly professional, highly skilled officers that will be in leadership positions within the Sheriff’s Office. I’m very excited about the new positions and we look forward to continuing to serve Vicksburg and Warren County in the most professional manner possible.”