Bill Text: MS SC644 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Mourn the loss of Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Lamar Wells of Jackson County, Mississippi, in the line of duty.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-6)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-31 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC644 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SC644-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Parker
Senate Concurrent Resolution 644
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS OF DEPUTY UNITED STATES MARSHAL JOSIE LAMAR WELLS OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON MARCH 10, 2015, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature was saddened to learn of a fallen Mississippi law enforcement officer. Deputy U.S. Marshal Josie Lamar Wells died in the line of duty, as he and other members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Shots were exchanged as the team attempted to take the man into custody and Deputy Wells was struck; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Marshal Wells had served with the United States Marshals Service for four years and was assigned to the Southern District Office in Mississippi. Mississippi flags were ordered lowered at half-staff in his honor by Governor Phil Bryant. Deputy Josie Wells was remembered by everyone at his memorial on March 17, 2015, including U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, as the definition of a true hero. Holder and U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton both spoke to the standing-room only crowd at Wade Baptist Church in south Mississippi. Attorney General-Designated Loretta Lynch was also present in a show of support from President Obama for the fallen four-year-veteran of the Marshals Service. Just before Holder read a letter from President Barack Obama to Wells' wife Channing, he called Wells "a man, a patriot, who gave his life in the service of his country. And I am honored to stand among so many friends, colleagues and family members who are proud to call this true American hero their own"; and
WHEREAS, Josie was born into a legacy of law enforcement officials. He leaves behind his father, a retired Captain for the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, an older brother, a Sergeant for the Jackson Police Department, and two younger brothers, a Police Officer for the Moss Point Police Department and a Private Security Officer. He also leaves behind his beloved mother and four sisters whom he cherished and idolized for their nurturing spirits; and
WHEREAS, Josie attended the East Central School System for elementary, middle and high school. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Jackson State University in 2011. Josie confessed his devotion to Christ at First Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church where he remained a member until his death; and
WHEREAS, Josie married the former Channing Kalise Sly on June 30, 2012, and he remained her loving and devoted husband until his untimely death. On Christmas day 2014, he was excited that his lifelong dream of becoming a father had finally come true. He learned that his unborn child would be due on his birthday; and
WHEREAS, "Hero Under God" was his personal creed. Josie was a part of the U.S. Marshals Co-Op Program as a undergraduate at Jackson State University. He joined the United States Marshals Service after his graduation in 2011 and worked in St. Louis from 2012 until 2014. He transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, in September 2014 and worked there until his death. He always prayed before every assignment. He will be remembered as a tireless, dedicated, and ambitious servant of GOD; and
WHEREAS, Josie was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Josh Sr. and Alma Wells, and maternal grandparents, Lamar McGee and Hazel Harper; and an aunt, Ms. Tina Harper. He leaves to cherish his memories, a loving and devoted wife, Channing Wells; loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Obie Wells, Sr.; his siblings: Taniesha Wells-Garcia, Obie (Tyesha) Wells, Jr., Melanie Wells, Shantreneika Harper, Amanda (Michael) Brown, Jason (Hildiah) Wells, Erinn Wells and Julian Wells; mother-in-law, Ms. Julia Sly; sister-in-law, Miss Chainese Sly; 12 aunts and uncles; 58 first cousins; 22 nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, we can never repay our debt to this officer and his family, but we must do what we can, with all that we have, to live our lives in a way that pays tribute to his memory. We should not pause and remember to thank law enforcement officers and their families only in the wake of tragedy, we should do it every day: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss of Deputy United States Marshal Josie Lamar Wells of Jackson County, Mississippi, who died in the line of duty on March 10, 2015, and express the sympathy of the Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Deputy Wells, forwarded to the U.S. Marshals Service, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
