City Spotlight: Lieutenant Mark Sandridge

By Inesha Jackson

Mark Sandridge, Madison County’s Top Cop, has been serving the Madison County area for over eighteen years. Currently, Sandridge is the Lieutenant in Support Services and works as the Community Relations Officer at the Madison County Sheriff’s office. On a day-to-day basis, his responsibilities include managing the Department’s DUI Grant for five deputies, while also working directly with Training Officer Lieutenant Scott McDonald as his Assistant Commander of the Madison County S.W.A.T. team.

“Personally speaking, there are no greater pursuits than serving and protecting your community neighbors, and preparing believers for an eternity in heaven,” Lieutenant Mark Sandridge said.

After high school graduation from the French Camp Academy in 1990 and Delta State University in 1995, he spent seven years in sales and marketing starting at Sysco Food Services and three years in the music/entertainment business at his father’s company in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“In 2002, I felt a strong calling from the Lord into law enforcement and attended the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Glynco, Georgia, and immediately joined the ranks of the Tennessee Valley Authority Federal Police Force. My wife and family decided to return to Mississippi in 2004, where I was recruited by former Madison County Sheriff Toby Trowbridge,” Sandridge said. 

As the primary point of community relations, Lieutenant Sandridge is often found working with citizens, neighborhoods, schools and businesses in Madison County to help explain and enforce the local laws designed to make Madison County a safe place to live, work, play and worship. Also, Sandridge’s work with Canton Academy places him at the center of their athletic and special events activities. 

“Regardless of our personal ethic, economic, social and spiritual differences, we are all God’s children that live together in the same community, and we have a responsibility to be respectful advocates for each others’ lives,” Sandridge said. 

Recently, Lieutenant Sandridge was presented with the Top Cop Award, a service award in recognition and appreciation for outstanding performance and leadership, chosen by Sheriff Randall Tucker and Deputy Chief Jeremy Williams each year during Law Enforcement Appreciation Week. 

“In light of so many wonderful deserving men and women in the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, I am humbled beyond words that they chose me for this honor. I count my blessings every day to work with such great people at the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. It is an honor and a privilege serving this community, and I hope to do so for many more years,” Sandridge said. 

Sandridge gives credit to Christ and his family for being instrumental in the success of his life and career. 

“My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my family, including my grandfather, Dyke Sandridge; my father, Ken Sandridge;and my wife, Patricia, have had a profound influence on my life. Their teachings of love, forgiveness, resilience, determination and resourcefulness are all important personal attributes that are important in the life of a law enforcement officer,” he said.

In Sandridge’s spare time, he enjoys teaching Bible study, spending time with friends, shooting guns, gardening, and enjoying an occasional round of golf on the weekends. 

“Without question, twenty-six years of marriage to my beautiful wife, Patricia, and raising my two wonderful children, Patrick and Anna Leigh, are my most noteworthy achievements.” 

Recently, Sandridge had the opportunity to participate in two movies set to air this fall. The first film, The Minute You Wake Up Dead, starring Morgan Freeman, Cole Hauser and Jaimie Alexander, was produced by Andrew Stevens and directed by Michael Mailer. The second movie, Broken Ties, starring Briana Cohen, Nicole Marie Johnson and Jonathon Stoddard, was produced by Andrew Stevens and directed by Mitchell Altieri. 

“It is not every day you get to experience the thrill of playing a small part as a Madison County Deputy in two movies. I got to spend thirty days with some of the most talented people in the film industry. I am grateful for the opportunity,” Sandridge said.