In 2015, Alex Miller left a good-paying job to move back home to Summit and take care of his mother. That theme of caring for others was prominent in his first remarks to town officials, residents and business owners after he was sworn in as police chief on Thursday, pledging to serve with “all of my attention and all of my effort.”
“It isn’t about the title. It’s because I love Pike County, I love the Town of Summit and I love taking care of the people who take care of me,” Miller said.
The new chief comes to the job after working with the Pike County sheriff’s department, starting out as a corrections officer before working his way through the ranks to become a deputy and investigator. He was named the department’s Deputy of the Year in 2022.
Miller, who grew up on Cedar Street in Summit, now known as John D. Shaw Street, graduated from North Pike High School in 2004, attended Southwest Mississippi Community College and then North Central Missouri College.
“Law enforcement really changed me into something I never dreamed of even becoming,” he said. “At first I used to love to talk about how good of an athlete I was, how good I could jump and how many knee surgeries I had. I moved home to take care of my mom in 2015, I learned it was not about myself.”
He said his service to his hometown will be led in with that spirit.
“You have all of my attention and all of my effort,” Miller said.
Town Judge Jose Simo administered the oath of office to Miller in a packed auditorium inside Southwest Mississippi Community College’s student union building.
The Rev. J.R. McBeth of New Vision Community Church led a prayer at the ceremony and spoke directly to Miller beforehand, telling him he believes he is cut out for the job.
“A career is what gets you paid but a calling is what you’re made for,” McBeth said.
He said he remembered meeting Miller after the sheriff’s office called him and told him deputies needed his help because a young woman was threatening suicide and asked to speak to a pastor.
“I believe that you were destined for what you’re doing and I do believe that God created you for that and I know you have a hunger and you have a desire to make a difference,” he said. “Just because you’re in a small town does not mean that you’re not going to do big things.”
McBeth gave Miller some words of advice.
“I pray for you that you would protect your character so that you don’t become one,” he said. “Protect your character because people will try to make a character out of you.”
And, he said, “Always stay humble because the increase comes from above, not from man, so don’t mistake that.”
Rep. Daryl Porter Jr., D-Summit, congratulated Miller as well and presented a proclamation honoring the retirement of his predecessor, Kenny Cotton.
“I absolutely adore where I’m from,” Porter said. “Summit, she is quiet, she is beautiful and she is the place where everybody should aspire to raise their family. And in a few moments, she is going to be handed over to Chief Miller to protect her — a job I know he will not take lightly.
“I am proud of you and I know that you will do an exceptional job of keeping our quiet, our beautiful town safe.”
As for Cotton, Porter said the former police chief had an extensive career that spanned three decades, including a term as sheriff.
“A person like Kenny Cotton has a long, extensive career in law enforcement. They actually don’t make these big enough for his accolades,” he said of the ceremonial paper on which the proclamation was printed, noting Cotton’s “zealous distinction and unwavering commitment” to his service.
Cotton said he appreciated the remarks and congratulated Miller.
“My hat’s off to the new chief,” he said. “I had a lot of jobs, but the job I love the most, Summit police. My pay was two or three times less than some of the jobs, but I love Summit. The passion to work for people you know, you can’t beat it.
“Alex, If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m here for you.”
