July 1, 2010

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS OF
HIGHWAY PATROL CHIEF, BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS ACTING DIRECTOR

Governor Haley Barbour announced today the appointments of Albert Santa Cruz as Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Maj. Raymond Delk as Acting Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations.

“I appreciate the commitment made by Santa Cruz and Maj. Delk in accepting these positions,” Governor Barbour said. “I know both men will continue the proud tradition and exceptional reputation of the Mississippi law enforcement.”

“Santa Cruz bringws remarkable experience as a law enforcement officer to this position,” Governor Barbour said. “He is a dedicated public servant.”

“Maj. Delk’s outstanding career with the Bureau of Investigations gives him valuable insight into the needs of this specialized law enforcement division,” Governor Barbour said.

Santa Cruz, a native of D’Iberville, serves as Director of Special Events and Planning, which crafts security plans and organizes law enforcement protection for major events as part of the Governor’s security team.

Santa Cruz began his law enforcement career in 1974 as a trooper in George County and became a Master Sergeant in District 8, which covers a portion of South Mississippi, in 1986. Ten years later, he was promoted to Captain and served as Commander of Troop K in District 8 for six years. He then became Director of the Southern Region with Mississippi Bureau of Investigations managing three patrol districts before joining the Governor’s security detail in 2005.

Santa Cruz has been trained at the Northwestern University Traffic Institute and several sniper programs across the country. He also served as commander of Highway Patrol’s sniper team. He and his wife, Doris, have four children, Mike, Sherry, Steven and Glenn.

Delk, a Bay Springs resident, began his law enforcement career in 1983 as a trooper in Jasper County. He became a Master Sergeant in 1995 and began working at the Bureau of Investigation’s Meridian District. He became Lieutenant of the Meridian District eight years later.

Delk was promoted to Captain and managed the Bureau’s Central Region in 2007 and earned the rank of Major two years later when he became Deputy Director of the Bureau.

He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Sandra, have two children, Russell Delk and Amy Jiles.