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Mobile council honors former sheriff Sam Cochran, proclaims Parks & Recreation Month and recognizes Javonte Johnson Foundation
Summary
The Mobile City Council opened its July 7 meeting with condolences for former police chief and sheriff Sam Cochran, proclaimed July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month and read a proclamation honoring the Javonte Johnson Foundation of Hope.
The Mobile City Council opened its July 7 meeting with tributes to former Mobile Police chief and Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran, who died July 6 at age 71.
"His loss is truly a tremendous one," Mayor Spirit Cerakatas said, offering condolences to Cochran's wife, children and law enforcement colleagues and recounting Cochran's decades-long career in Mobile policing and as sheriff. The mayor said Cochran began as a police cadet in Mobile, served as police chief from 1996 to 2006, and was elected sheriff in 2006, later winning reelection in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
Following the moment of silence, the council accepted two ceremonial proclamations. Mayor Cerakatas read a proclamation declaring July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month in Mobile and invited Parks and Recreation Director Shonda Smith and staff to the dais. "Parks and Recreation promote health and wellness...and provide a place for children and adults to connect with nature and recreate outdoors," the proclamation read.
Shonda Smith thanked staff for their work running summer programs and keeping parks maintained throughout the city. "We do this all the time, but it's always good to celebrate parks and rec month to highlight all of the things that we do," Smith said, noting a full month of events and the department's continuing work with summer camps and activities.
The mayor also read a proclamation recognizing the Javonte Johnson Foundation of Hope, honoring the foundation's mentorship and outreach work for young people. Members of the Johnson family joined the council for the reading and expressed gratitude for the city's recognition.
The ceremonial portion of the meeting also included a recognition of the Westside 11U blue baseball team for an undefeated district season and advancement to regional play; Council members presented the team with a certificate and wished them luck in Louisiana.
The meeting then proceeded to regular business on the agenda.
