The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

OFFICER OF THE MONTH - APRIL 1998

SGT. RICHARD HANNAH
BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI, POLICE DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has announced the selection of Sgt. Richard Hannah, of the Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Police Department, as their "Officer of the Month" for April 1998.

According to NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd, "Sgt. Hannah's dedication to law enforcement and devotion to his community over the course of his career sets an example for police officers throughout the country. His commitment to law enforcement is unsurpassed."

For the past 12 years Officer Richard Hannah has protected the citizens of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Considered by Police Chief Frank McNeil to be one of the department's "most experienced police officers," Sgt. Hannah has worked on everything from drug interdiction to providing protective services for the President of the United States.

Mayor Eddie Favre says of his highly decorated officer, "Sgt. Richard Hannah has often been commended for his professionalism, quality of work and civic commitment. He values his team members and successfully completes his duty to protect and serve the citizens of Bay St. Louis. I am confident that his actions make him worthy of the NLEOMF award." Most recently Officer Hannah and his team captured an armed robber who had been terrorizing this Mississippi community.

Sgt. Hannah, who also holds a commission with the Hancock (MS) County Sheriff's Department, routinely backs up his police officers. "He is a good leader with excellent character," says Officer Wayne Downey, one of Hannah's patrol officers. It is not unusual for this dedicated officer to drive 20 to 30 miles on his time off to back up other officers. "He even goes out of the County, if necessary, to back up officers," says Downey. Sgt. Hannah is committed to keeping his officers alive.

Sgt. Hannah, who has a 99% conviction rate, has been involved in apprehending some ruthless criminals, including the killers of a Mississippi State Trooper. "The most difficult case," he says, "was a child abuse case. The parents of two children, an 11-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister, were using them in child pornography. The children had been sexually abused in live situations, on videos and in still photos. It was all I could do to keep from losing control."

When Sgt. Hannah isn't fighting crime, he routinely volunteers his time to such worthy causes as developing bicycle safety programs for the Girl Scouts and being the arresting officer in the March of Dimes "Jail and Bail" program. While participating in Jail and Bail, Sgt. Hannah arrested such citizens as the Mayor and City Councilmen. These individuals were placed in a jail cell with a phone, and they were not released until they raised their "bail" money. The money that was collected through this program was then donated to the March of Dimes Foundation.