Mike Odom

Mike and Shirlion Odom

I have lived in Panama City, Florida all of my life, with the exception of my senior year of high school and a short period of my sophomore year. So, Panama City has been home both before and after Clinton High.

After graduation from CHS, I returned to Panama City and enrolled in Gulf Coast Community College to study Business Administration. After attending college for two years and dating a girl I knew from junior high school, I married Shirlion. For a period of time I worked in electrical construction before returning to college to study and receive my certification in law enforcement.

I have been employed with the Panama City Beach Police Department for the last twenty-eight years. My career began as a patrol officer and has allowed me move through the ranks to Major. I am currently the Deputy Chief of Police of an eighty-officer department. I have been fortunate to work with and meet many, many fine people. To have the privilege of working in a community which hosts millions of visitors each year and be able to interact with them has been the highlight of a long and fulfilling career. I received my license to teach law enforcement classes on the college level and have served as an adjunct instructor at Gulf Coast Community College as well as other law enforcement schools.

Shirlion and I were blessed with a wonderful daughter, Dede, on January 2, 1973. She is now married to Garry Alexander and living in Mobile, Alabama. We are the proud grandparents of Justin and Michael. God sure knew what he was doing when He created grandchildren.

Shirlion has worked for the state of Florida for the last thirty years. We are both anticipating retirement in the near future, allowing time for golf, fishing, hunting and grandchildren.