GLENDORA — The man who served as the first African-American deputy sheriff in Tallahatchie County since Reconstruction was laid to rest Saturday, Dec. 17.
Walter Louis “Big Mike” Hawkins was 67.
The Swan Lake native, a 1971 graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, made local history in 1973 when he was hired by then Tallahatchie County Sheriff Ellett R. Dogan as one of his department’s deputies.
That same year, Hawkins graduated from the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Academy in Pearl.
In 1979, Hawkins made history again when he was elected as the second African-American constable in Tallahatchie County since Reconstruction. He served as a constable for 18 years.
During his 29-year-long career in law enforcement, Hawkins also served stints as a police officer in Charleston, Glendora and Webb.
Due to failing health, he was forced to retire from law enforcement in 2002. At the time, he held the title of chief deputy sheriff under Tallahatchie County Sheriff William Brewer.
In April 2007, Hawkins was honored with a ceremony held in the chamber of the Mississippi House of Representatives in Jackson. A resolution commending the life and service of Hawkins, introduced by state representatives Robert Huddleston and Tommy Reynolds, was read aloud during the ceremony.
Hawkins died Friday, Dec. 9. Funeral services were Saturday, Dec. 17, at West Tallahatchie High School in Webb. Interment was at Sumner Community Cemetery.
Eddie Robinson Funeral Home of Grenada had charge.
IN THE PHOTO: Walter Louis "Big Mike" Hawkins is pictured in his uniform when he was a deputy sheriff. (Photo special to The Sun-Sentinel)
