Gulfport Police Honor Fallen Officers

Gulfport Officially Opens Robert Curry Public Safety Center

GULFPORT -- While police staff already have moved in the new Robert J. Curry Public Safety Center, personnel with the city's court system will soon follow suit, according to local media.

On Thursday, Gulfport officials and employees and the public turned out for the official opening of the $22 million building in downtown. Police personnel moved in during December last year, according to reporter Anita Lee at http://www.sunherald.com/

"We're finally home," a beaming police chief, Alan Weatherford, said, "and we're in a state-of-the-art facility that was built for law enforcement."

City Celebrates New Home for Police, Courts @ sunherald.com

Gulfport Opens New Safety Center, Honors Fallen Police Officers @ wlox.com

The building was named for former police officer Robert Curry, who was killed in 2008 while helping to escort a funeral procession on U.S. 49. Curry's mother, Dorothy Gibson, attended the dedication of the new public safety center, which was built to house police and court system staff.

"He will always be sadly missed," said Gibson at wlox.com. "We thank God for giving us Rob for just a little while."

See photographs of the dedication ceremony at sunherald.com

Among the more than 200 people who attended the ceremony for the Robert J. Curry Public Safety Center were his wife, Leslee Curry, and their two children, teenager Krysten and grade schooler Trevor.

"I love it. It's very good for all the officers and for the whole department. It's a good reminder of Rob, and to keep his memory alive," said Leslee Curry to wlox.com reporter Elizabeth Vowell.

According to the news reports, the building includes rooms named for seven other Gulfport police officers who died in the line of duty. As well, a monument to the fallen officers stands outside the building.

Lt. Robert J. "Rob" Curry Laid to Rest

Lt. Robert J. "Rob" Curry

GULFPORT -- On Sunday and Monday, Aug. 17-18, family, officers and friends from across South Mississippi paid their respects to another lawman who lost his life within the first two weeks of August.

In an ironic twist of life, Lt. Robert Curry reportedly was fatally injured the morning of Aug. 14 while on his way to help accompany a funeral procession. Media reports said he was northbound on U.S. 49 when he was struck by a vehicle leaving the U.S. Post Office between Community and Dedeaux roads, just south of the funeral home.

Curry, 39, was head of the traffic division with the Gulfport Police Department and among officers of the motorcycle division.

Hundreds Mourn Fallen Gulfport Officer
Posted Aug. 18, 2008, @ www.wlox.com by Amanda McCoy/photographer

Just a week ago, Curry had organized the funeral procession for his longtime friend, new Jackson County sheriff's investigator Frederick Gaston III, who was killed Aug. 2 during an attempted robbery while traveling through Gastonia, N.C.

Just a week ago, Curry and other officers from Gulfport, Biloxi, Moss Point, Pascagoula and Gastonia remembered Gaston during visitation Aug. 8 at Riemann Funeral Home in Gulfport, and funeral services Aug. 9 at St. James Catholic Church on Cowan-Lorraine Road.

Curry, a 14-year member of Gulfport police, and Gaston were best friends during Gaston's 17 years on the force before the latter man headed to Moss Point in 2007, according to Gulfport officials. Gaston served as interim police chief in Moss Point for six months before becoming an investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department in July.

Photo Gallery for funeral of Lt. Robert Curry
Posted Monday, Aug.18, 2008 @ www.sunherald.com

Both men were members of the Air Force, and Gaston was on his way to Virginia for reserve training when he was shot and killed during a stop-over in North Carolina. Police from that city visited South Mississippi to join the tribute to Gaston.

Still united as friends in death, visitation and funeral services for Curry also were held at Riemann and St. James. During a 7-mile procession that started early Monday morning, family, friends and law enforcement from across Mississippi stopped at the Fallen Officers memorial at the 34th Avenue police station in Gulfport.

In a day of moving tributes, the final one, a radio call for Lt. Curry, tells all units to STAND DOWN

Posted Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 @ www.sunherald.com
Hundreds who paid their last respects Monday at the funeral of Gulfport Police Lt. Robert J. "Rob" Curry heard praise of his legacy. ....

OBITUARY

Lt. Robert Curry, age 39, of Woolmarket passed away Thursday, August 14, 2008 in Gulfport.

Lt. Curry began his employment with the Gulfport Police Department December 1, 1994, after having served his country in the United States Air Force during the Gulf War. He was currently serving as a lieutenant for the traffic division and district supervisor for Orange Grove.

Lt. Curry was the current president of the S.T.O.R.M. organization, after serving as secretary for many years. He was a hostage negotiator for Gulfport Police Department and a Master DUI instructor. He served as a DUI officer for several years, and was also a master SFST instructor. Lt. Curry was a member of MLEOA, PBA, and attended Coalville United Methodist Church. He also worked at Harrison County Police Academy as an instructor.

Lt. Curry held numerous law enforcement certifications and received numerous letters of appreciation during his career. He enjoyed racing, fishing, and playing softball. He also enjoyed training and instructing law enforcement and civilians in various areas.

"Rob's death is a tremendous loss to our police family. He has always embodied that which makes law enforcement an admirable job. There has never been a question as to his love of the job and the love of his fellow officers. Rob has recently been assigned as the Officer In Charge and operated a motorcycle everyday. It quickly became obvious his love of the motorcycle unit was fulfilling for him and a benefit to the traffic goals of the city."

Lt. Curry was preceded in death by his father, Richard Curry, and his sister, Patricia Curry.

Survivors include his loving wife of 13 years, Leslee Morrow Curry; daughter, Krysten Curry; son, Trevor Curry; mother, Dorothy (Bob) Gibson of New York; brothers, Jeff (Mary) Curry of New Hampshire and Steve (Ann) Curry of New York; nephew, Brandon (Kelly) Clark of Gulfport; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Sunday, August 17, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport. Funeral service included a visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2008, at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport. Interment followed in Coalville Cemetery.

An online guestbook may be viewed and signed at www.riemannfamily.com.