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Northwest Foundation receives donation from law enforcement group

Senatobia, MS (08/03/2017) — Sybil Canon, associate vice president of Development and Special Projects recently accepted a contribution of $500 from the Mississippi Association of Gang Investigators (MAGI) to the Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation, designated for the Deputy Joe K. Cosby Scholarship Endowment.

The contribution was presented by Sgt. J. K. Smith of Pope who spearheaded the effort to honor the memory of Panola County Sheriff's Deputy Joe K. Cosby, who was killed in the line of duty on September 30, 1988. Smith is a homicide detective with the Memphis Police Department.

MAGI was founded in 2008. According to the organization's website, MAGI "includes local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and court system professionals whose interest or primary investigative responsibilities include the identification and prosecution of crimes related to gang activity. Its mission is to promote the rapid collection, analysis, exchange, and dissemination of information concerning gang related incidents, suspects, and intelligence among gang professionals."

Jimmy Anthony, MAGI northern region vice president, reports that MAGI is heavily involved in lobbying efforts for "legislation that decreases or curbs the occurrence of gang-related crimes, as well as assists the judiciary and related agencies in the adjudication of gang defendants."

The Cosby scholarship is awarded to Panola County students who plan to enter Criminal Justice careers with some of these recipients actually being the children and/or grandchildren of law enforcement officials.

According to Smith, "MAGI hopes to continue this scholarship on an annual basis, increasing the amount if the recipient is a child of a law enforcement officer."

For more information about the Northwest Foundation, contact Canon at srcanon@northwestms.edu or call 662-560-1105.

Pictured: Sybil Canon, associate vice president of Development and Special Projects at Northwest Mississippi Community College receives a $500 donation from Sgt. J.K. Smith of Pope, homicide detective for the Memphis Police Department on behalf of the Mississippi Association of Gang Investigators (MAGI). The donation will go towards the Deputy Joe K. Cosby Endowment, which is awarded to Panola County students who plan to study Criminal Justice. (Photo by LaJuan Tallo)

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