McComb Enterprise-Journal
Senate confirms Shepherd as U.S. Marshal
By Gopika Nair
Former Pike County Sheriff Mark Shepherd will serve as U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Mississippi, the U.S. Senate confirmed Wednesday evening.
President Donald Trump nominated Shepherd for the position in June.
Shepherd, who served as Pike County sheriff from 2003-15, will lead U.S. Marshal Service activities for the Southern District of Mississippi, including federal judiciary protection, federal fugitive apprehension, seized asset management, federal prisoner housing and transportation and Witness Security Program operation.
"I'm truly honored to serve my nation in this new role," Shepherd said. "It continues my local law enforcement service."
Shepherd is awaiting instructions to be sworn in.
He worked for the McComb Police Department for nearly 21 years. In 2003, he was elected Pike County sheriff. After serving three terms as sheriff, Shepherd chose to retire.
"When President Trump was elected, I decided I would apply for this position," he said. "What got me interested is I've been in law enforcement all my adult life and I love the work. I enjoyed serving the city of McComb and my county for 35 years and now I'm going to enjoy serving the nation."
Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, both Mississippi Republicans, praised Shepherd's Senate confirmation. Wicker said in a statement that he and former Sen. Thad Cochran nominated Shepherd for the position in 2017 "because of his long, distinguished career in law enforcement" and that the "Southern District of Mississippi will be well-served by Mark Shepherd as U.S. Marshal."
"Mark Shepherd has a level of experience that will be put to good use in leading the U.S. Marshal's Southern District," Hyde-Smith said in a statement. "I'm pleased the Senate confirmed Mark's nomination before the end of the 115th Congress, and look forward to his good service for Mississippi and our nation."
The Southern District comprises 45 of Mississippi's 82 counties.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Shepherd thanked Wicker, Hyde-Smith and Cochran for their support.
"This could not have happened without their recommendations to President Trump and his subsequent appointment," Shepherd wrote. "Through God's blessings, I now have the opportunity to serve the great state of Mississippi and the nation once again, this time as the U.S. Marshal (for the) Southern District Mississippi."