[08/12/02]Vicksburg Police officer Rudolph Walker was picked today to be the interim Central District constable for Warren County.

Walker, 49, on the Vicksburg force for 26 years, was selected by the Warren County Board of Supervisors from a field of nine candidates who asked to be considered for the appointment.

The office became vacant July 27 when incumbent J.L. Mitchell resigned as part of a plea bargain.

In addition to Walker, those who appeared for interviews were James Shirley, James Jefferson Jr., Rodney Dillamar, Jimmy Cotton and Roy Tillman.

At this morning’s meeting, after District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon’s motion to appoint Tillman died for lack of a second, District 4 Supervisor Bill Lauderdale moved to appoint Walker. The motion was seconded by District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield and then approved by the board.

“He has … some great qualifications, being on the police department for 20-plus years,” Lauderdale said. “He is also the only one that can step into this job quickly, who already has academy training.”

Constables are fee-paid for serving papers, but are also fully certified law enforcement officers who must graduate from the state training academy.

As soon as the vote was completed, Board President Richard George instructed County Administrator Rick Polk to contact Walker and make arrangements for him to acquire the bond he will need and for him to take the oath of office.

“I hope we will be able to do that in a couple of days,” George said after the meeting.

Walker, the brother of former Vicksburg Mayor Robert Walker, is a graduate of Rosa A. Temple High School and has associate degrees from Hinds Community College in criminal justice and sociology and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi in public administration. He also received associate and bachelor’s degrees in theology from the E.D. Straughter Branch of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary.

Mitchell had been indicted in May on a felony extortion charge after he was accused by an apartment manager of demanding $250 a year to serve justice court papers. In addition to resigning, Mitchell was placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay $1,400 in fines, court costs, restitution and fees.

Board members have set Nov. 5, the date of the congressional and judicial elections, as a date for a special election for Mitchell’s post. The person who wins the special constable’s election will serve the remainder of the term that ends Dec. 31, 2003.

Any candidate, including Walker if he desires, has until Sept. 6 to qualify for the special election.