“I believe now is the time to run for Sheriff.”
Those were the words long-time Tate County resident Luke Shepherd said about his decision to run for the county’s highest ranking law enforcement official.
Ranking just below the Chief Deputy, Shepherd is currently one of three Majors at Desoto County Sheriff’s Office, one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state, but has lived in Tate county since 2007.
“My home is here. I love this county. I love the people. I want to serve in Tate County, to work for my friends and family,” said Shepherd.
Shepherd is a native of Tippah County, Miss. Shepherd spent most of his childhood in Walnut, before his father, a Baptist pastor, accepted a position in Pensacola, Fla. After a few years in Florida, the family moved to New York when his father accepted a position as a professor at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary’s Northeast Branch located in Schenectady.
“Although I share the same deep faith of my father and grandfather, I never felt called into full-time ministry as they were. After high school, I attended Mississippi State University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science,” said Shepherd. “After graduating from MSU, I was hired by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) as a Conservation Officer.”
Shepherd then attended Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Academy in Pearl, Miss., followed by MDWFP’s Game & Fish Academy. It was at this point the State of Mississippi assigned Shepherd to Tate County, and he and his wife, Rose, moved to the county.
After serving in the position for three years, Shepherd wasn’t satisfied with the life of a conservation officer.
“I knew I wanted to be in law enforcement from an early age. I have always liked the idea of serving others, protecting people, and being there for them in their time of need,” he said.
Shepherd worked for the Southaven Police Department for two years before finding himself at the Desoto County Sheriff’s department, where he has answered the call for the past 10 years.
At DCSD, Shepherd worked a short time in the patrol division before testing and being selected as an agent in the Special Investigations Division (SID) where he mainly worked with narcotics related crimes.
In 2013, Shepherd was promoted to Sergeant in SID and led a five-person team. He was selected in 2016 to join the FBI Memphis Safe Streets Task Force. Shepherd passed the FBI background investigation with Top Secret Security Clearance, worked large-scale drug, gang and violent crime cases in the tri-state area. During his time in the position, Shepherd testified numerous times in federal court, prepared federal warrants and was involved in and led large-scale federal investigations.
In 2020, Shepherd was promoted to the rank of Major and is currently still holding the position. As Major, Shepherd oversees multiple divisions comprised of 84 total people including Patrol (48), DUI (3), K-9 (8), Motors (8), School Resource Officers (15) and has the assistance of two Captains.
With 15 years of experience in law enforcement, Shepherd said he is blessed and is excited about the future.
“I have been blessed to have worked in law enforcement on the state, municipal, county and federal levels,” said Shepherd. “I have received tremendous support and look forward to the days ahead.”
Shepherd believes his experience will help him better serve the citizens of Tate County.
“I believe my ability to build relationships and bring our county together is key to the safety and goodwill of our citizens,” he said.
Shepherd would like to see several changes in the Tate County Sheriff’s Office including the development of programs for more citizen/Sheriff’s office interactions. He would like to also explore the idea of putting Resource Officers in the Tate County School District schools. He also wants to increase the number of deputies patrolling the county roads.
"We have 405-square miles of land and six-square miles of water in the county. I want to be able to get to anyone needing help in a timely manner,” he said. “I want to operate a professional and responsive sheriff’s office. One that is known for innovation, integrity and accountability.”
Shepherd has plans to acquire more funding for the department that wouldn’t result in a heavier burden on Tate County taxpayers.
“I would explore available grant options applicable to our county,” said Shepherd. “I want to examine every aspect of the jail and sheriff’s department to see if there are other more effective and efficient ways to operate.”
Shepherd realizes the undertaking will include a great deal of responsibility. He believes leadership and direction are critical to the service citizens receive from the sheriff’s office.
“When I think of the role of sheriff as being the highest-ranking law enforcement official in the county, I see it as a tremendous responsibility,” said Shepherd. “The sheriff must be available, exceptional in integrity and character, diplomatic, even-tempered, humble, a strong leader with unwavering morals, and live in a way that brings credibility and respect to the people they serve.”
When it comes to the role of overseeing the Tate County jail, Shepherd takes a hard stance on crime.
“I want the citizens to feel confident and the criminals to be nervous,” he said. “I want anyone thinking of committing a crime to think twice before doing so in Tate County.”
The Shepherds have three children, Noah (13), Hannah (11) and Grayson (8). Rose Shepherd, a former Biology teacher at Independence High School, is living out a lifelong dream of being able to homeschool their children.
Active in their local church, the family plans to continue to play an active role in their community and tend to the betterment of Tate County.
“I am looking forward to being active in the county through community organizations and schools,” said Shepherd. “A sheriff must relate to the people and be constantly watching for ways to better serve. I live in Tate County because this is where I want to be. Tate County is a great place to live and raise a family.”
Shepherd said his family is very supportive and excited about the possibility of him serving the county where they live.
“They believe in me,” said Shepherd. “I hope each person reading this will believe in me as well. I’m ready to serve on day one!”
For more information on the campaign, see his Facebook page, Luke Shepherd for Sheriff.
