Ellisville city officials are giving a former Jones County Junior College softball coach and student housing director a new lease on life.

On Oct. 1st, Grant Crowder, who was arrested by the Petal Police Department in May and charged with possession of a precursor used to manufacture methamphetamine, began his new job as a member of the Ellisville Fire Department.

In recent weeks Ellisville residents and Jones County Junior College softball fans may have noticed a new, but familiar face in the ranks of Ellisville firefighters.

Crowder, a Richton native, was housing director and softball coach at JCJC until his resignation on May 28. A JCJC graduate and two-year letterman on the JCJC football team, he had just completed his 10th season as the Lady Bobcats head softball coach.

Ellisville Mayor Tim Waldrup, a former JCJC Dean of Students, was working at the college when Crowder was a student. But while he knew Crowder and followed his career at the college, Waldrup noted that Crowder’s hiring had to go through the same procedure as others hired by the city.

“He was recommended by the fire chief and voted on for hire by the Board of Aldermen,” explained Waldrup. “My personal opinion is that everyone makes mistakes.

“I really have no problem with people trying to help themselves — trying to turn their lives around. Everyone is entitled to a second chance, but if you blow it on your second chance, I think you have pretty much had it.”

Waldrup noted that Crowder was hired in late September, but his first day at work was Oct. 1st. “He was hired with the understanding that he is on a long-term probation,” added Waldrup. “He will be periodically tested for drugs and if the tests show positive for illegal drugs, he will be dismissed.”

Ellisville Fire Chief Ronnie McGilberry said Crowder has done an outstanding job since joining the department. Like the mayor, McGilberry said he doesn’t mind giving a person another chance.

“This is not an easy job,” added McGilberry. “I think anyone who is willing to put their life on the line for others is to be commended.

“Surely these firefighters aren’t doing it for the money. We only pay about $19,998 a year.”

The chief added that Crowder has performed better on skills tests than some firefighters who have been with the department for years. McGilberry said that after one of his firefighters backed out of taking the tactical fitness test at the Mississippi Fire Academy, he asked Crowder if he thought he could take the test.

“I didn’t want to lose that spot at the academy,” he explained. “The interesting thing here was that the other guy had gone through training in preparation for the test. Crowder had never done any of it before.

“He completed the test with a minute and 43 seconds to spare,” said McGilberry. “That was a great accomplishment.”

McGilberry said he is not one to tell Crowder he cannot be a firefighter if it’s something he really wants to do. “Sure he’s made some mistakes in life, but everybody has some kind of skeleton in their closet they don’t want anyone to know about.