Those who keep us safe: Officer Jeremy Herrington

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Officer Jeremy Herrington was recognized earlier this week for going above and beyond the call of duty to serve the community. We are proud to honor him as this week’s featured first responder.

Small town, big dreams

Herrington grew up in Fayette, Mississippi, raised by his mother, Thelma Herrington.

“I never had a father figure in my life,” said Herrington. “My mother always raised me up.”

Herrington became fascinated with law enforcement at a young age. Since the age of five, he’s always wanted to wear the uniform.

“Law enforcement is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Herrington.”I’ve always wanted to be there for someone in their time of need.”

It wasn’t long before Herrington got his wish.

A step forward

Officer Jeremy Herrington poses with a VPD police cruiser. (Submitted by Jeremy Herrington)

Herrington found a role model in former Jefferson County Sheriff Peter Walker and in September 2021, graduated from Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Academy Basic Class #266.

He soon started working for the Fayette Police Department under Chief Shawn McMiller. About a year later, Herrington transferred to the Vicksburg Police Department and found a new role model in Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones.

“Those are my two biggest role models,” said Herrington, speaking on Walker and Jones.

Herrington to the rescue

Herrington wasted no time showing the community he takes “to serve and protect” seriously.

Heavy rains washed over Vicksburg one week and created flooding conditions throughout neighborhoods.

“I got dispatched down there to a flooded neighborhood and I saw an older lady standing on her porch,” began Herrington.

Herrington stated the woman was worried, stating the flooding conditions were going to damage her vehicle.

Herrington then asked himself, “What can I do?”

“I stepped out of my car. It was pouring down rain and lightning,” said Herrington. “I walked over and started to dig out the ditch and take out the trash. I rolled up my pants and took off my boots.”

The water was cold, but Herrington was on a mission. He navigated through the neighborhood removing leaves and debris from the gutters, allowing traffic to flow through the area. An act that earned him recognition from Chief Jones during last Monday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.

Officer Jeremy Herrington is recognized by Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones for going above and beyond. (Submitted by Jeremy Herrington)

“It may be something small, but it’s big. He didn’t have to do that,” said Jones. “He could have sat there with his blue lights on and waited on someone to come and do it, but people were standing in their yards, they were very afraid because they didn’t know if the water was going to go into their houses.

So he got out and did his job and I appreciate that. For that, I honor him today.”

Herrington will celebrate his first year with the department on Dec. 13.

Keep it simple:

Herrington lives by a simple code.

“Treat people the way you want to be treated because you never know who’s looking at you,” said Herrington. “Always do your job to the T.”

His outlook and willingness to go out of his way to help others no doubt are in part to those he thanks for having the biggest impact on his life.

“I just want to give a big shoutout to my mother Thelma and the best people in my life, Bridget Jackson, Catenia Starks and Marcus Walton of Fayette, MS for being a big impact on my life,” said Herrington.

Herrington also stated that he has found wonderful mentors in Lt. Trueheart and Sgt. Williams.

“I want to thank them so much for showing me the Vicksburg way of law enforcement,” said Herrington. “Thank you so much.”