Hometown Rankin - June & July 2017

Serving our county
Phillip Sandifer
Rankin County Emergency Communications Officer
Why did you decide to pursue law
enforcement?
As long as I can remember I have wanted to be in
law enforcement. My original plan was to join the
Army as a military policeman just to gain some
experience. Twenty years later I retired from the Army
and, after a few different jobs and a long battle with
the disease of alcoholism, I got sober and, by the
grace of God, was given the opportunity to re-enter
law enforcement serving the citizens of Rankin
County as an emergency communications officer.
I thank Him each and every day for that privilege.
How long have you served in your
current position?
I have worked here for a little over two years and
I love it. The camaraderie, brotherhood, and
compassion for others that my co-workers show
every day reminds me why I have continued to
serve this county, state, and nation.
Tell us about your family.
I am a divorced father of 3 young adults, one of
which has been a Marine for the last 8 years. I could
not be more proud. I also have 3 siblings that live in
Rankin County and a sibling in Simpson County.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
Seeing families and young adults being torn apart by
violence and substance abuse is just heartbreaking.
However, if I can get through to just one person it
eases the burden.
Share some things you enjoy doing in
your spare time.
I love to cook, garden, and do something nice for
at least one person every day. That’s a personal goal
I set for myself at the beginning of my recovery.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Although I enjoyed the movie, I’ve never been a
bucket list person. If I had to make a list at this point
in my life it would be to: Enjoy my family and tell
them I love them as much as I can; be kind and
compassionate as much as I can; and try to help
people in any way I can.
Who is someone you admire and why?
In 1988 during my first tour in Germany I had a unit
first sergeant named Jackie B. Irwin. He had been
an infantryman during the height of the Vietnam
War. His leadership and dedication to taking care
of soldiers was the model that I based my career on.
I still think of him often to this day.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Living, hopefully. And still serving the citizens of
Rankin County with the Sheriff’s Dept. The
professionalism and compassion I found here has
helped me refocus on the goodness in people and
a strong desire to help as many as I can.
If you could give one piece of advice to
a young person, what would it be?
I believe every able-bodied citizen should serve their
country for at least one tour. It instills self-discipline,
a sense of pride, and a sense accomplishment.
It also makes you a more marketable member of
the workforce—in some ways as good as a college
education, depending on your chosen field.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
Working in the garden with my daddy and papaw.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
Not working in the garden with their parents. There
is a lot to be learned in between the rows of dirt
that can’t be found in an electronic device.
What is your favorite thing about
Rankin County?
Not to be redundant, but the members of our
profession. They take great pride in their duties
and go above and beyond every chance they get.
It motivates you to want to do more. Although we
deal with a lot of people at their worst, they are
not bad people and we show compassion to all.
That’s a job to be proud of.
Hometown Rankin • 33