By David Howell and Rupert Howell

The top three police officers in Sardis have quit their jobs, effective Monday, after the sheriff’s department took over operations and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) was requested to investigate the department.

In a whirl-wind turn of events that started late last week, Chief Marcel Jojola initially agreed to “temporary, voluntary leave” pending an investigation by the MBI, City Attorney Tommy Shuler confirmed.  

The action was taken Friday morning at a called meeting, when city leaders went into executive session to request the MBI investigation and to hand administrative responsibilities to the sheriff’s department.

Assistant Chief Jim Hammer was suspended prior to Friday’s meeting.

Jojola had been in California after an illness in his family, and arrived back in Mississippi just in time for the Friday meeting.

“Two weeks ago I got a call from California, my son-in-law was gravely ill,” Jojola told The Reporter Wednesday. “I told the mayor I would be gone and gave my phone to the assistant chief,” he added.

“When I was driving back, I got a call from the assistant chief, who said he had been suspended.”

On Monday, Jojola, Hammer and officer Terri Wiechert resigned from the department, clearing their personal items from the station and turning in city-issued equipment.

“As the facts became clear to me, it was evident that me and the board were going to have issues. The security of the people in Sardis was more important to me than anything else,” Jojola reported about the resignation.

He also said he had requested an outside agency to investigate the allegations that had surfaced.

“The mayor told me that I was not accused of any wrong doing,” Jojola continued. “There was an issue with a Fuel Man card. I?am looking forward to the MBI?investigation, I know I?will be vindicated.”

Looking Forward

Panola County Sheriff Otis Griffin polled Sardis Board of Mayor and Aldermen Tuesday night asking, “Is there anybody in here that feels anything different,” referring to changes made since his department had taken over administration of the police department.

Lieutenants within the sheriff’s department are operating as shift commanders for Sardis police officers.

“Most of the officers are still on the job,” said the sheriff. “All the brass is gone.”Griffin told board members that his department will stress professionalism on job.

He said dispatch would no longer be a hangout for those with nothing else to do stating that a dispatcher’s duty was to be a lifeline for citizens in need.

“They don’t need any distractions,” Griffin said.

Griffin also said, “You (law enforcement officers) are not going to sleep on my watch.”

The recently elected sheriff said that officers would be checking buildings at night to make sure they were secure and visiting local businesses and citizens during day shifts.

“A lot of guys (officers) haven’t had training in these areas,” he said.

Griffin assured the Sardis Board that there was, “plenty of protection here,” stating that sheriff deputies and existing officers represented greater numbers than before his department was asked to provide service.

Griffin served as officer for the board remaining for the entirety of last Tuesday night’s regular monthly meeting and told board members to call if they had or hear of any problems.

The sheriff’s department will remain in its role as long as city leaders request the help, Griffin said.

Jojola was hired last July and his departure is the latest in a string of turnovers at the Sardis Police Department.

During his short tenure, he is credited with rebuilding the morale at the department; starting a volunteer service, VIPS, to incorporate citizen input within the department; and helping regain the citizens’ trust in the department.

Jojola also beefed up the department’s depleted patrol vehicle inventory and other equipment.

His hiring came after a four-month search by Sardis aldermen and Mayor Rusty Dye.