The Hattiesburg Police Department is bidding a fond farewell to three longtime officers with more than 70 combined years of law enforcement experience.
On July 2, a retirement ceremony was held for Capt. Ricky Myers, Lt. Mark Denny and Lt. Greg Holliman, each of whom started with the department in the mid-1990s.
“These fine men have had a wonderful career, and been leaders and mentors in our department,” HPD Chief Anthony Parker said. “The three of them have decades of experience that we will surely miss, and wisdom they have shared with our department and officers in which we are forever grateful.”
Denny’s career in military service lasted from Jan. 16, 1990, to Jan. 16, 1996, when he served with the Mississippi Army National Guard in Support Company 2nd Battalion/20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He served with the Forrest County Sheriff’s Department from Aug. 15, 1994, to Nov. 15 1996, and with the Hattiesburg Police Department from Jan. 27, 1997, to July 1, 2020.
Denny said he was thankful for his life as a police officer, through times of laughter and sorrow and times when he questioned whether he would make it home at the end of his shift.
“I wouldn't trade anything for those times and experiences,” he said. “It was those times I saw the worst in people, but it was also those times I saw the best in people. I saw the courage and bravery of the men and women at HPD as well as all first responders that would pull together as a team and do some good in the world as we faced challenging situations that many don’t even know occur in Hattiesburg.
“To experience these wide range of emotions is a bumpy ride to say the least, but I have truly lived. I thank God for seeing me through my career and keeping us safe. I'm thankful for my wife for her never-ending support and many prayers for my safety and the safety of the officers I worked with. My thoughts and prayers are with all my fellow officers in law enforcement and with the citizens of Hattiesburg as we move forward in life. They will be missed.”
Myers served with HPD from Jan. 24, 1994, to June 26, 2020.
“I’m grateful that I reached retirement, and saddened to leave the place I’ve worked at for more than 26 years and I’m excited about what lies ahead,” he said.
Holliman began training academy in January 1994 and joined the HPD entry team in 1995. He served as a K9 interdiction officer until 1998 and a patrol sergeant until 2008.
He joined the Lamar County School District Police as a deputy chief before returning to HPD patrol. He then joined the Narcotics Enforcement Team, where he was promoted to sergeant and became commander of Metro.
In 2013, he left metro to join FBI Safe Streets Task Force, where he remained until returning as commander of metro until his retirement.
“I’m torn as far as retirement,” Holliman said. “I’m excited, but also know I will miss the work as well as the law enforcement community.”
