It was a bittersweet day for the Picayune Police Department as officers bid a fond farewell to one of their own brothers in blue. 

Law enforcement and city officials gathered at the police department to celebrate the retirement of Maj. Ricky Frierson.

Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey presented Frierson with a plaque and police badge in honor of his 38-years of service to the department.

Friends and co-workers said Frierson will be greatly missed and spoke of his dedication to the force and the citizens of Picayune.

From Winn-Dixie to Law Enforcement

Born and raised in Picayune, Frierson graduated from Picayune Memorial High School.

Frierson said he decided to be a police officer when he was working at Winn-Dixie in the meat department.

His friend, John Mark Mitchell, convinced him to try out for the police force.

He began his career in 1976 as a reserve officer and said he wanted to make a difference for his community.

In 1987, he was hired on as a full-time police officer.

A Meticulous Investigator

Throughout his career, Frierson served as a patrol officer, investigator, firearms instructor, service bureau commander and director of finance and logistics, Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Magri said.

Tom Milar, code enforcement officer for the City of Picayune, said Frierson is a meticulous and great investigator.

“When he investigated a crime scene, he got down to the nitty gritty and you knew everything was going to be done right,” Milar said.

As director of finance and logistics, Frierson said he was responsible for maintaining the police department’s budget and providing the officers with the tools they needed to protect the citizens everyday.

Fr. Johnathan Filkins, Chaplain for the police department, said Frierson was always a steady hand in the department, thoroughly conscientious and brutally honest.

An Honor to Work Alongside

Frierson said the Picayune Police Department is a brotherhood and if anything happens, the men and women are there to support one another.

Dawsey said Frierson is the reason he became a cop.

Dawsey worked alongside Frierson in Winn-Dixie’s meat department and Dawsey said he asked him about being a police officer.

Dawsey said Frierson is a joy to work with and it’s bittersweet to see him go.

“He’s an asset, the backbone of this department, and I hate to see him go, but I wish him and his family all the best and success for the future,” Dawsey said.

Magri said he considers Frierson a good friend and it’s been a pleasure and enjoyable time to work with Frierson over the years.

Ginger Bennett, executive assistant to Dawsey, said Frierson is a prime example of a dedicated law enforcement officer that makes sacrifices so the people of Picayune and Pearl River County can go about their daily lives in a safe manner.

The Future

After retiring, Frierson plans to spend quality time with his wife Cathy, daughter Torrie and sons Chance and Chase.

However, he said he still has plans to volunteer with the police department.

“Once law enforcement is in your blood, it’s hard to walk away from it,” Frierson said.

Frierson said he hopes that he has lived up to the ideal of what a law enforcement officer is and he is proud of what he has done.

There’s a satisfaction that comes with helping people, Frierson said.

“Knowing that you made a difference so people felt they could go out, and go to bed safely,” Frierson said.