PRESS RELEASE
Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detention Officers said farewell to a long-time colleague as Lt. Mira Rainey retired June 19 after more than 27 years at the Lauderdale County Detention Center.
Starting her career in June 25, 1999, Rainey was known for her depth of knowledge and willingness to help others when they needed information. Sheriff Ward Calhoun said her no-nonsense approach showed both her affection for her colleagues and passion for the job and inspired just a little bit of fear when needed.
“She had the ability in that jail to run that place and not put up with any mess, and when it did get to be messing, she knew how to get it cleaned up,” he said. “We are going to be challenged in the years ahead to find somebody to even talk about trying to replace her.”
Working at a Detention Facility isn’t a normal office job. It requires working nights, weekends, holidays and more, and comes with stresses and concerns most jobs do not.
While no one will be able to replace Rainey, the training and institutional knowledge she shared with her colleagues will continue to make a difference.
“Thankfully we have many people who are able to come in and do that, and they serve our community by doing that,” Calhoun said. “That’s their spot. That’s where they flourish, and that’s where you flourished. And so again, we are extremely thankful.”
Rainey said she wants to thank her family and friends for their support throughout the years. It is their help that made the holiday shifts, nights and weekend work possible. Going to work is what she was raised to do, and facing a suddenly free schedule, she said she is going to miss the job and the good friends she worked with.
“I want y’all to know I thank each and every last one of y’all,” she said. “For the good days, bad days, the slow days and the easy days.”
After more than a quarter century serving the people of Lauderdale County, Calhoun said Rainey deserves to have fun and enjoy her retirement. The mission will continue with those she educated and trained to take her place.
“On behalf of Lauderdale County, more specifically all of us in this room, family, friends, co-workers, thank you for all that you’ve done these many years, and I wish you just go and have fun and do whatever,” he said.
Images and story courtesy of Lauderdale County.
