Hometown Clinton - Fall 2017

Because there’s Merit in convenient care.
With more than 30 primary care and specialty practices in four counties across the Jackson and Vicksburg metropolitan
areas, Merit Health Medical Group providers offer quality care for your family with your schedule in mind. From sore
throats and fever to annual wellness visits and more specialized care, we’ve got you covered.
To see all locations and specialties, please visit MyMeritDoctor.com
Call 844-MSMERIT for a provider near you.
Walk-ins are welcome at all primary care practices,
or ask about same-day and next-day appointments.
More than 30 practices.
Quick appointments.
One number: 844-MSMERIT.
CLINTON'S FINEST
Michael Even
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
Why did you decide to become a school
resource officer?
Being the oldest of ten siblings put me in a
leadership role of sorts. Strong faith and good
character is something my parents instilled in
me at a young age. So, mentoring and
teaching is something that has come naturally
through my upbringing and hopefully have a
positive effect on our young people. I also saw
this position as an opportunity to “protect and
serve” in a different capacity for our
community. As a school resource officer, I am
around the students on a daily basis. This gives
me the chance to set a positive example for
our city’s most impressionable minds—not
only as a man but as a police officer—thus
allowing me to give them encouragement and
guidance in their day, as well as ensure they
have a safe environment that is conducive for
learning.
How long have you been with the Clinton
Police Department?
I began working for the Clinton Police
Department in April of 2009.
Tell us about your family.
I am a father of three amazing kids! My oldest,
Micah, is a regional sales director for Vector
Marketing in Monroe, Louisiana. My middle
child, Erin, is enrolled in Hinds Community
College where she is studying to be a nurse.
My youngest, Lily, will be a senior at Clinton
High School this year. All of my children have
attended Clinton Public Schools from K-12.
What is the toughest thing you have
experienced in your job?
Being helpless during a tragedy is probably
the toughest. As a police officer in general,
there are all sorts of calls that have us
responding. It’s the powerlessness to undo
the damage caused from automobile
accidents, house fires, and other tragic
events that come our way. Being unable
to bring back a life or take away the hurt,
fear and/or sadness in situations.
Share some things you enjoy doing in your
spare time.
Ah! So many things! Spending time with my
kids, being in the USMC Reserves, hunting,
fishing, competitive shooting, woodworking,
CrossFit, volunteering at Camp Down Range
and the Boy Scouts, when called upon.
What are three things on your bucket list?
1) Some adventure sports. Scuba diving,
skydiving, hang gliding.
2) Travel. I have been to several countries for
mission work and for the military. I would like
to travel more for pleasure.
3) Explore the Amazon.
Who is someone you admire and why?
My maternal grandfather, Phillip Boogearts.
He was a colonel the Marine Corps and retired
after serving in WWII and the Korean War.
He also went to work for and retired with
South Central Bell as an electrical engineer.
I admire him for his devotion to family and his
service to our country. Hard work, dedication,
and positive attitude are just some of the
attributes he instilled in his family.
Where do you see yourself ten years
from now?
In my career, I would hope to continue my
advancement through the ranks with the
Clinton Police Department. I enjoy teaching
and feel I could also excel as an instructor for
the various qualifications our officers have to
maintain on an ongoing basis for the
department.
If you could give one piece of advice to a
young person, what would it be?
Don’t judge a book by its cover. So many kids
make snap judgments about their classmates,
teachers and others before getting to know
them. They make assumptions to fill in the
gaps. There is more to a person than what they
wear, how they talk, and what culture they
come from. Stop rushing to judgment, listen to
what others have say and think before you
speak/act.
What is a favorite childhood memory?
Spending time with my second family in
Mexico. As a missionary kid, I spent time living
in a rural fishing village with a local pastor and
his family. Dirt floors, bamboo walls and the
smell of salt water in the air. I stayed there as
often as possible and enjoyed my time hunting
iguanas and fishing.
What is the biggest mistake you think
young people make today?
Selling themselves short. Not reaching for the
stars, so to speak. They don’t believe in
themselves. Or understand they have the
opportunity to be anything and everything
they want to be in life, just by applying
themselves. Some settle for mediocrity and let
their dreams slip through their fingers instead
of maximizing their potential.
What is your favorite thing about the City of
Clinton?
I enjoy the small town feel and the diversity of
the residents. I constantly run into people I
know from school, work and church. Having
Mississippi College here means meeting folks
from around the country and even the globe.