There is a new chief deputy in the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Department. With 29 years in law enforcement and investigation, Frank Riley is ready to better Jefferson Davis County.

Riley started with the Mississippi Highway Patrol in February 1995 followed by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation in 2009.

“The first thing I want to do is thank the former and current boards of supervisors and president Michael Evans for this new jail and getting it up and running,” said Riley.  “We have to get these inmates to a more secure facility with better conditions. After the inmates are moved, we will get the administrative offices filled and then our central dispatch up and running.”

Riley is already looking into federal grants for equipment for the department. “Any equipment we can get for the department and our officers is going to make it better for everyone.”

When asked why he took this job Riley didn’t hesitate, “to help better the county,” he said.

“I want to keep the county safe, make the county a better place to live and get the crime rate down.,” he added.

“There is no doubt Frank will be an asset to our department,” said JDC Sheriff Ron Strickland. “His years of experience will benefit the whole county.”

Along with his other duties, Riley will also be investigating for the department and says he will dedicate time to older crimes. His focus can be solely on Jefferson Davis County now, as opposed to sharing his efforts with many other counties while with the MBI.

“I live here, my children and grandchildren live here, I’m personally invested,” he said.

“I’m not going anywhere, so why not make this a better place for all of us.”