Mississippi Concealed Weapon Training (Statewide)

BIO

Sean has taken over the business from Rick Ward. He has instructed many Classes since starting in 2015. He is no stranger to law enforcement or handgun usage. His dad (Cliff) retired with Cleveland Police Department where he often took young Sean along. Sean would later work briefly for Cleveland Police Department himself before relocating to Simpson County, MS. 

He married Melissa (Malley) Cooper of Simpson County and later became a Magee Police Officer, Investigator, and a Simpson County Deputy Sheriff. Sean and Melissa now live in Simpson County.

Sean has received numerous accolades during his career for outstanding performance, lifesaving, "Top Gun", and "Top Cop." He attended the Mississippi Delta Community College, Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy at Moorehead, MS and attended Delta State University at Cleveland where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Forensics. Sean is a Certified Accident Reconstruction Specialist and a Certified Firearms Instructor.

He is 52 years old and has a great deal of experience. He has been in an officer-involved shooting situation where he had to fire his weapon in the line of duty and was cleared during an investigation by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations. (Most police officers complete a 20-year career in law enforcement without ever having to fire their weapon at a suspect in the line of duty). He was commended for his good judgment and firearms skills.

We are thrilled to have Sean full-time and glad to keep the training in the family. I will still be available to assist him part-time and anytime he needs it or stand in for him in the event of unforeseen circumstances. I will continue to provide occasional classes for former customers, their friends and families when requested by name. Please give Sean all the support you have given me over the recent years.

Rick Ward

BIO

 Rick Ward was born in Tunica, Mississippi, on August 1, 1953. He enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam era and was honorably discharged in 1975. He remained in the navy reserves for over thirty years. He has an Associate degree in law enforcement from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, a B.S. in criminal justice from the University of the State of New York, and a Master’s in education from the University of Hawaii. He is a graduate of the Mississippi State Police Academy, the U.S. Army Military Police School, and the FBI National Academy. He is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) by the American Society of Industrial Security and certified level five of five in Homeland Security.

Rick retired in 2005 with a dual career in civilian, and US Navy law enforcement. His career netted him a total of thirty-four years combined military and civilian law enforcement experience as he traveled the world.

Twice during Rick’s naval career, he was stationed at the shipyard in Pascagoula. During that time he was instrumental in teaching courses associated with firearms at three Mississippi police academies. His Navy certification and training as a Small Arms Military Instructor (SAMI) served him well when certified as an instructor by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. During the early 1990’s, he conducted judgmental shooting training at police and sheriff departments all over Mississippi, using a state of the art electronic firearms simulator. He provided executive protection and advanced firearms training in Pascagoula and the police academies at Pearl, Tupelo, and Gulf Park.

Throughout his career, he has been a city patrol Officer, undercover state narcotics Officer, county criminal investigator, State Attorney General Political Corruption Investigator, Gaming Commission Division Director and Federal Employment Compensation Act Fraud Investigator.

Between those various positions in civilian law enforcement, Rick served on active duty as investigator aboard a battleship, Officer in charge of security for two major shore installations and an amphibious assault ship. He was a force protection Officer for counter-drug operations in Central America and Regional Security Officer for the entire northeast coast.

Rick was on site in New York on September 11, 2001 and responsible for Navy security reactionary forces. His last assignment with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) led to his position at headquarters in Washington, DC before retiring as a Lieutenant Commander on February 1, 2006.

He has written articles in military and civilian law enforcement journals with worldwide circulation throughout his career. In the last five years, he has written two legal suspense novels, one historical novel and one nonfiction expose’ on State Government.

Rick is also a member of the "not so prestigious club" of having been shot in the line of duty.