The Interview: Sheriff Mike Byrd

BYRD’S CALLING

A career lawman now in his fourth term, Sheriff Mike Byrd said he is a proud public servant.

"I love what I do. You've got to want to be in this business. I feel like it’s a calling,” Byrd said.

A FAMILY BUSINESS

You could say he was born into the family business; his grandfather, his dad, brother, cousins, a nephew and one of his sons, all were law enforcement officers. 

"From far back as I can remember as a little bitty boy that's all I've known is law enforcement," Byrd said.

  Now in his fourth term, he's the third member of the Byrd family to serve as Jackson County sheriff.

His Father and a cousin, whom he called Uncle Leo out of respect, both once held the Office. 

Mike Byrd literally lived in the Court House when his father served starting in 1964.

"I was only 13 years old when we lived there. In those days, the sheriff was considered the custodian of the courthouse. I saw in him the satisfaction he got out of helping people,” Byrd said about his Dad.

Byrd said the greatest advice he ever received from his father was about being a public servant.

“He said son if you're going to do the job, do it to the best of your ability, and always remember that you are a public servant," Byrd said.

THEN VS NOW

Byrd said a lot has changed since he first entered law enforcement as a deputy in the 1970s.

"Back in the old days they just put a badge on the biggest and baddest and told him to go out there and enforce the law,” Byrd said.

When he started as a deputy, Byrd was one of 22 Deputies on staff. 

Currently, his department is ten times larger, and law enforcement work demands an officer have higher qualifications.

"You can't just come into this business and not know what you're doing. You've got to be educated, you've to have a good head on your shoulders," Byrd said.

Byrd said that one of his most prestigious honors was being invited and completing the FBI Academy.

 

THE FIGHT AGAINST METH

Sheriff Byrd said his department is holding its own as they crack down on those who are making meth in Jackson County.

"These meth labs, they blow up. We've had several people die in explosions from meth labs. It’s very dangerous, very volatile.  Its not just Jackson County, but its in Mobile County, Louisiana, everybody's dealing with meth labs,” Byrd said.

He recently had to arrest a Moss Point, Mississippi Volunteer Fireman.

"You're a fireman. Why'd you do this?  When you have a public servant that's involved in something like that, it’s very disappointing.   If somebody is violating the law, they're going to be prosecuted no matter who they are," Byrd said.

Sheriff Byrd said it takes money to fight against meth, so he's sending his officers to Washington to make sure federal funding continues to be available.

COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING

The sheriff said working and communicating with other law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, makes his job a little easier as they look for those involved in the drug trade in Jackson County and those traveling through on I-10 and U-S 90.

"Criminals don't know jurisdiction lines, so you've got to share information.  It's led us to some pretty big drug dealers. Because when you share information, you're going to know whose coming and where there going; and hopefully, we're going to catch them," Byrd said.

A  Texas bank robber came to the end of his road recently in Jackson County.  Shared information said the so called "handsome bandit" could be headed that way; east to Mississippi.  

Byrd shot his tires out bringing the chase to an end.

"I've always thought about my decisions. Sometimes you don't have time to think. You've got to just focus and revert back to your training," Byrd said.

HELPING NEIGHBORS FIGHT CRIME

Cases in a neighboring states and counties have drawn Byrd into helping other law enforcement agencies.

"That was just a horrendous case. You have four little children that were thrown off a bridge; I mean innocent little children for no reason just killed.  It kinds of overwhelms you at times,” Byrd said.

But he said that didn’t stop him using his resources and staff to help.

“I took one of my helicopters and went over there.  And, we searched for a long time. I think three weeks we were in the air and all four of the children were found.   We found one in Jackson County," Byrd said.

BYRD TALKS PARDONS

Byrd said one reason he is disappointed in former Governor Barbour’s pardoning of criminals is convicted murders like Lam Loung

"I have the utmost respect for Governor Barbour. He's a good man. But, when you release someone that is a murderer; that’s not just right,” Byrd said.

Byrd said he feels like if someone commits a crime, that person should do that time; even if that means life in prison.

“You've got victims who've had closure.  Then, they relive that whole traumatic situation again.  You have a lady that was killed right here in Pascagoula. Her husband just stalked her, and then drove up beside her and killed her with a shotgun.