History

MS Central State Troopers Coalition

Retiree Corner

​Retirees Luncheon on 3-9-2019

              History of the Central State Trooper Coalition, Mississippi Chapter

 

Jerome Mangum and Willie Morrow helped to end racial discrimination in hiring, promotion, and employment practices within the Mississippi Highway Patrol by filing a lawsuit.

It was in 1972, when Walter Crosby, Lewis Younger, and Richard Williams broke down racial barriers and became the first African-American troopers commissioned to the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP).

 The Central State Troopers Coalition, Mississippi Chapter, was established in 1985 byLewis Younger, Douglas Steward, and Melvin Maxwell of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

On May 3, 1986, Troopers Jackson and Pattillo of the Tennessee Highway Patrol met with lewis Younger, Douglas Steward, and Melvin Maxwell of the Mississippi Highway Patrol in Memphis, Tennessee where the first national conference was held.

Since its creation within the Mississippi Highway Patrol,

L.M. Claiborne, Donnell Berry and Christopher Gillard have served as a colonel for Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Shirlene Anderson and Doris Holt served as the first African-American female agents in the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

Charles Haynes serves as the first African-American as LT. Colonel as director of  Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI).

Lecarus Oliver and Lamond Wilson as major within the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI).

 Jeffery Willis serve as captains within the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI).

Presidents of the Central State Troopers Coalition, Mississippi Chapter 

 

1985- 1990       First President ------------------- Melvin Maxwell

1990-1996        Second President ----------------Lester Williams

1996-2001       Third President--------------------Johnny Bowen

2002-2007       Fourth President-------------------James Gunter

2007-2009       Fifth President---------------------James Walker

2009-2013       Sixth President--------------------Michael Purnell

2013-2021   Seventh President-------------------James Gunter

2021- Present Eighth President-------------------James Ivory