The Mendenhall Police Department named Chief Alexander “Candy” McCullum as their Top Cop.
McCullum, Mendenhall native, has served the community for over 28 years.
The Top Cop award is presented every year by the MS Crime Stoppers Association, generally during the week of the police memorial in May, to the officer who has made significant contributions to the department or community.
Each agency nominates an officer at the recommendation of the chief.
Mendenhall Mayor Todd Booth explained that Mendenhall Police Department’s Lieutenant Charles Sherman took charge of selecting the Top Cop this year. Booth said that Chief McCullum knew nothing about the selection. It was discovered that McCullum had never won the award despite all his years of service to the city. His department decided it was time to change that.
Booth said, “He was very surprised when he found out. The award was long overdue and very deserving. It really amazed me that he has never received the award before.”
Booth congratulated Chief McCullum for being named the Top Cop of Mendenhall Police Department and thanked him for his more than 28 years of service to the community.
McCullum laughed and said, “I’ve always given them out to other people at least for the last 11 years. They decided I needed it this year.”
McCullum said it was a good feeling to receive the award from his department and that he was thankful for the honor.
