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SALUTE<br />
to First Responders<br />
Why did you decide to be a first responder?<br />
I wanted to help protect and care for my community. Growing up<br />
as the oldest in a large family I have been looking out for others for<br />
what feels like my whole life. It started out with me looking out for<br />
my siblings and their friends when I was a young man and then for<br />
my wife, children, and fellow Marines when I was older. Having a<br />
servant’s attitude instilled as a child, coupled with my capabilities<br />
with weapons and fighting, thanks to the Marines, made the choice<br />
seem like a good fit.<br />
How long have you been with the Clinton Police Department?<br />
I have been a police officer for the city of Clinton since 2009 after<br />
graduating from Mississippi Law Enforcement Training Academy<br />
(MLEOTA) in July of that year.<br />
Tell us about your family.<br />
I am the oldest of ten children. I have three adult children from my<br />
first marriage and a lovely wife and stepdaughter who have recently<br />
immigrated to Mississippi from Honduras. My adult children are all<br />
graduates from the Clinton School District from K-12 and I expect<br />
my stepdaughter will be as well.<br />
School Resource Officer<br />
Sergeant<br />
Michael<br />
EVEN<br />
CLINTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT<br />
What is the toughest thing you have experienced in your job?<br />
The toughest things I have experienced are loss of life and various<br />
tragedies I have responded to in the course of my time as a police<br />
officer. Being present for someone’s last breath after a traffic accident,<br />
notifying next of kin and responding to homes where families have<br />
just had the worst day of their lives is a deeply saddening experience.<br />
The sense of hopelessness at being unable to “fix” the situation is the<br />
most difficult feeling ever.<br />
Share some things you enjoy doing in your spare time.<br />
I enjoy woodworking and furniture repair in my shop, spearfishing,<br />
hunting, fresh and saltwater fishing, competitive long-range shooting,<br />
and traveling.<br />
What are three things on your bucket list?<br />
Spearfishing a bluefin tuna, getting SCUBA certified, and going<br />
skydiving.<br />
Rodric McClain got out of the car to take a photo<br />
of his best friend, Tia Denise Cook of Jackson.<br />
28 • AUGUST 2022
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