A Lauderdale County deputy is being recognized for outstanding service to the community. Lt. Kris Cokel was named the 2026 Law Enforcement Coordinator of the Year by the Mississippi Crime Stoppers last week at the organization’s annual conference.
The yearly meeting of Crime Stoppers groups from around the state was held Oct. 14-16 in Biloxi and included training opportunities and speakers in addition to recognizing officers’ contributions.
Cokel started out in law enforcement in 1987 in Florida and joined the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department in 2007 as a patrol deputy. He later served as a DUI enforcement officer and a Shift Sergeant before being appointed as Night Shift Lieutenant over patrol in 2020.
He is a graduate of U.S. Navy Master-At-Arms Academy and a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, and has completed the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Academy, Florida State Basic Law Enforcement Academy and Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy.
Founded in 1982, the East Mississippi Crime Stoppers program is a cooperative effort between law enforcement, community representatives and the public to help fight crime in the East Mississippi region. The program allows residents to submit tips anonymously at any time via phone, online or through the mobile app, with the possibility of cash rewards if tips lead to an arrest.
East Mississippi Crime Stoppers covers Lauderdale, Newton, Neshoba, Jasper, Clarke and Kemper counties.