A top law enforcement representative of Lowndes County next week will travel to Washington, D.C., for a special commendation from President Barack Obama.
Columbus resident Dennis Erby, who retired from the Mississippi Highway Patrol in 2005, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as head of the United States Marshals’ Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, in Oxford. He will be sworn in by Obama on April 12.
Erby, who spent his entire law enforcement career with MHP, said there were many steps to his upcoming appointment.
“First of all, you have to have a letter of recommendation,” he explained. “I am so grateful to former Rep. Travis Childers for writing the letter on my behalf. The letter is forwarded to the (Federal Bureau of Investigations), where the candidates are vetted. Next, you must be confirmed by the Senate. After the confirmation, you are appointed by the President.”
After spending more than 10 years on the Lowndes County Port Authority Board of Directors, Erby resigned from the board Monday. Board President and District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders praised him for his work with the county.
“(Dennis) will be missed tremendously on the Port board,” Sanders said. “It is going to be hard to replace him. His appointment is one of the best things to happen to Lowndes County in a long time. He deserves this. He has been a good public servant in Lowndes County for years.”
Aside from his wok with the Port Authority, Erby also is involved in other community projects, including the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link, the United Way and the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau. Columbus attorney Wilbur Colom said Erby’s commitment to the community was one of the main reasons he encouraged him to apply for the appointment.
“I recommended (Dennis) because he was eminently qualified,” Colom said. “He was involved in the community, in so many ways. I’ve worked with him on projects; I’ve seen him in operation. He is one of the most outstanding people I’ve ever known. The application process was very lengthy. It was a long haul. They looked at every part of his life. It was as if he was filling out an application for St. Peter to enter the gates of Heaven. It gave me great respect for people who are willing to go through these things. After such a long application and review process, I’m glad he’s still there.”
Erby said he was grateful to Colom for encouraging him to follow his dream.
“I want to give all of the honor to God,” he said. “I’m very thankful to Pres. Obama and the congressional delegation from Mississippi. I’m especially grateful to (Colom) for encouraging me to do this and to Travis Childers for writing the letter. I’m also very grateful to my community members for their support. I will do the best I can to represent the people of Lowndes County and the people of the State of Mississippi.”
An agency of the federal justice system, the U.S. Marshals Service is involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative, said agency officials. About 4,800 deputy marshals and career employees perform their duties nationwide, including detaining defendants in custody, protecting judges, conducting courtroom security and fugitive investigations, protecting witnesses and transporting federal prisoners.
Erby will be the administrator for the Northern District.
“One of my main duties will be to oversee the administration,” he said. “I’ve never done this before, so I’m not going to speculate on what my duties may or may not be.”
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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