An integral part of the Tunica County Sheriff's Office TRIAD program is the weekly welfare checks on senior citizens. Through this program, we have a member of our staff that makes phone calls to the senior citizens to check in on them and make sure they are healthy and safe. We also have a member of our patrol deputies that visits different seniors each week to visit and visibly see firsthand how they are doing.

 

For years this role was filled by none other than Chief Earl Dishmon. Chief Earl Dishmon began his career in law enforcement with the Tunica County Sheriff's Office in 1996 as a patrolman. During his employment with the Sheriff's Office, Chief Dishmon served in numerous capacities as Administrator to the Sheriff, Grants Coordinator and TRIAD liaison. In 2019, Chief Dishmon received his appointment to Chief Deputy of Public Relations for Sheriff Hamp. His duties and responsibilities consisted of working with the senior citizens and youth of Tunica County, as well as the overall public.

 

Chief Earl Dishmon was a champion for all people, especially senior citizens in our county. If there was a need or a concern, he was their voice. He advocated on their behalf and looked forward to each day of work to serve his community in this capacity. One thing Chief Earl Dishmon worked to do is to provide better home addressing signage to senior citizens on the southern portion of our county.

In times of emergency or disaster, every second counts. Crucial seconds can be wasted by emergency responders trying to locate a house due to addresses not being displayed on mailboxes or near the property entrances.

 

To honor Chief Earl Dishmon's legacy and fulfill this need, the Tunica County Sheriff's Office has implemented Phase I of its Earl Dishmon's Emergency Directions Project (E.D. E. D.). This project has been made possible by funding from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Division of Public Safety Planning, through the Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging. During the initial phase of this project, we will install over 40 9-1-1 safety address kits. These kits are designed with emergency response in mind - bearing a reflective green background plate. The signs are made of aluminum, so they are durable and weather resistant. The white reflective numbers help provide high visibility of addresses day or night to assist first responders.