I have known Shannon for years, and I can tell you without hesitation that he is the definition of hard work and honesty. He has dedicated his life to law enforcement, serving our county with integrity and putting the community first every single day. Shannon doesn't just talk about making our county safer—he has the proven track record to back it up.
Bill
I’ve known Shannon Penn for more than 20 years, and during that time I’ve come to know not only his work ethic, but his heart. He is one of the hardest-working men I have ever met, and everything he does is driven by a genuine desire to serve others. He cares deeply about the people of Rankin County and has invested countless hours into making our community a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
What sets Shannon apart is his integrity, his character, and his unwavering commitment to doing what’s right—even when it’s difficult. He isn’t seeking this position for recognition or personal gain; he wants to serve and make a positive difference.
Kim
I have known Shannon Penn since 1992, when I was employed at the Pearl Police Department and working criminal patrol/K9 duties. He, like myself, had purchased a Patrol/Narcotics K9 from his own funds because he saw a need and an opportunity to help his community, and he believed in proactive Law Enforcement. I learned very quickly that Shannon was a very self-driven and motivated individual. Then, in 1993, I was blessed to have him find employment at the Rankin County Sheriff's Department, where he found a more supportive administration in his endeavor to better his K9/ criminal patrol skills and to practice his desire for proactive police work. I watched as Shannon started the very first criminal patrol unit at Rankin S.O. I watched as I saw Shannon Penn he put in 12 to 15-hour shifts, even though it would be without monetary overtime compensation. Shannon and myself would work as many shifts together, where I saw him excel at criminal patrol work and K9 skills. I watched in amazement over the past 34 years at the tons of illegal drugs and felony cases that he has made over this time while employed at the Rankin County Sheriff's Department. I would further like to let it be known during this time that I NEVER witnessed Shannon Penn act any other way, but in a professional and compassionate way, even to those he arrested. I know if given the chance by the voters in Rankin County who want a more professional and compassionate sheriff's department, Shannon Penn will enforce his belief that a Law enforcement agency should be run in a professional demeanor and in appearance from the front office down to the front line deputies. This is why I ask all my family and friends to consider Shannon Penn when they go to vote for the next sheriff of Rankin County.
Elmo T
This is a letter of recommendation on behalf of Shannon Penn. Our company has utilized his services on many jobs for more than a decade. Shannon has performed the expected work in a timely fashion at competitive pricing and utilized many people during these projects. He has maintained a positive, professional attitude and treated everyone with dignity & respect throughout. I look forward to many more years dealing with Shannon.
Reed
I have known Shannon Penn for over 15 years and have witnessed firsthand his dedication to serving others. He is a man of integrity, strong character, and proven leadership. Shannon understands the importance of public safety while treating people with fairness and respect. I believe he has the experience and commitment necessary to serve as an outstanding Sheriff for Rankin County, and I am proud to support his candidacy.
Tracy
I have known Shannon Penn for almost 30 years but had heard of the man long before I met him. Shannon’s name and success began travelling through Law Enforcement channels in the mid-1990s. After meeting Shannon in 1997, I knew the stories were true. Shannon loved being a Law Enforcement Officer and performed his duties with integrity and respect. Both for the laws and the people he swore to protect.
At times, I thought Shannon lived at work. Whether I was on duty or not, it seemed whenever I saw Shannon he was in uniform. Shannon was even “working” when he was not on duty. He once detained a driver and vehicle in Pelahatchie while refueling his personal vehicle. That detention led to a large amount of narcotics being taken off the streets.
I have always known Shannon to be a hardworking and honest man. He treated people fairly and with respect. Shannon respects the law and the citizens he was sworn to protect. Shannon believes in honesty and integrity not only himself but the people he works with. Shannon knows the Man wearing the badge allows the badge to be respected, and not just wearing the badge gets the man respect.
As a retired law enforcement officer, with over 25 years of service, I am proud to call Shannon a friend and respect the man he is and his accomplishments.
Dan
It is my honor to offer my full and unequivocal support for Shannon Penn as he seeks public office. I have known Shannon for over 30 years, and in that time, I have witnessed firsthand the character, discipline, and leadership that define who he is.
By way of background, I bring over 35 years of professional experience in training, certifying, and consulting law enforcement K9 teams across multiple disciplines, including detection, patrol, and tracking. I have worked with hundreds of handlers throughout my career, and I do not make endorsements lightly. When I speak on a man’s capability, judgment, and integrity, it comes from decades of real-world evaluation under pressure.
Shannon Penn stands out.
He has handled several working dogs that I personally trained, and he consistently demonstrated a level of control, awareness, and decision-making that places him among the top tier of handlers I have worked with. More importantly, he carried himself with humility, responsibility, and a deep respect for the role he served, qualities that cannot be taught, only lived.
His career is a reflection of action, not words. Based on documented estimates, Shannon’s work has contributed to the seizure of approximately $18,000,000 in cash, along with numerous vehicles, equipment, and tractor-trailer rigs tied to criminal operations. He has been instrumental in removing large quantities of illegal narcotics from our communities, including approximately 31,478 pounds of marijuana, 6,100 pounds of cocaine, and 200 pounds of methamphetamine. In addition, he has been involved in approximately 3,190 felony arrests and the recovery of stolen vehicles.
These are not just numbers, they represent lives protected, families kept safer, and communities strengthened. They reflect a man who shows up, does the work, and follows through with results.
But beyond the statistics, what matters most is who Shannon Penn is at his core. He is steady in his decision-making, firm in his values, and committed to doing what is right, even when it is not easy or popular. He understands accountability. He understands service. And he understands leadership not as a title, but as a responsibility to others.
In today’s time, we need leaders who are grounded in real-world experience, who have proven themselves under pressure, and who are willing to stand firm for the people they serve. Shannon Penn is that leader.
I give him my full confidence and strongest recommendation. I encourage anyone seeking a leader of integrity, experience, and proven results to support Shannon Penn.
Roger A.
I have known Shannon for the last 35 years and worked with him personally for 31 of those years. Shannon is a man of great integrity, respect, and honor. He strives to make our community a safer place for our children and grandchildren, along with generations to come. Shannon has always been fair and respectful to everyone on both sides of the law. He has saved the taxpayers of Rankin County millions of dollars with seizure funds that were used to update our weapons, bulletproof vests, cameras, vehicles, and so on. Shannon's goal has always been about the people he serves and making their lives better. He is not only a great deputy and public servant but a great business man. He knows how to manage budgets and employees alike. I am supporting Shannon Penn for Sheriff of Rankin County not only because I'm friends with him and worked with him; I know he is the best man for the job professionally and personally to serve the people of Rankin County and our future here where we call home.
Retired Patrol Lt Rankin County Sheriff's Department