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Real People. Real Stories.

Officer Jaime Guess, Patrol Division, Golden Police Department, Golden, Colorado

Looking back on my career there is one moment which stands out that I will never forget! At times I have reflected back on this moment to remind myself of why I chose this career path.

One August night during a community oriented function called “National Night Out” I was taken by surprise. I was tired, my feet hurt, and I wanted to be done smiling at people I didn’t know. My partners and I were cleaning up the park as fast as we could so we could race home and be with o... Read More

Corporal Ethan Hicks, Supervisor, Day Shift Patrol, Ashland Police Department, Ashland, VA

I have always admired police work since childhood. Having a relative who was a police officer helped give me an inside look into the profession. When I would hear stories about his day or incidents that he had to deal with, it would always perk my attention. One day I decided to participate in the ride-a-long program that his department was offering. I got to see some of the stories he would talk about first hand. Before the shift ended on that first ride-along I knew that thi... Read More

Officer Foster Miles, Patrol Division, Ashland Police Department, Ashland, VA

I knew from a very young age that police work would be the career that I wanted to pursue. I wanted a career where I was not behind a desk; a career where I would be on the front lines and where I would make a difference, hopefully for the better, with each person I encounter. I knew I wanted a career that would be an adventure. Having been in law enforcement for over ten years, I still feel as passionate about it as the first day I was sworn in as a police officer. At time... Read More

Corporal Marie Kemp, Supervisor, Midnight Shift Patrol, Ashland Police Department, Ashland, VA

I have always wanted to be a police officer. I enjoy police work because it is a joy to help other people and try to make their lives better in simple ways that people take for granted. Also, it is guaranteed that each day you come to work will be different from the last. I knew from early childhood that I wanted to be a police officer. I was always comforted by being around people in uniform because of my family’s military history. I joined the Army directly out of high school t... Read More

Officer Stuart McCullough, Patrol Division, Ashland Police Department, Ashland, VA

I started college in August of 2001 as an undecided candidate. It took two years for me to decide on a major, and after testing the waters in every department, I realized criminal justice was the most interesting to me.

I graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2005 with a degree in Political Science with a concentration on criminal justice. I had no idea where to start in reference to a career, so I jumped from construction job to construction job until I found ... Read More

Sergeant Christie Rhoney, Supervisor, Criminal Investigations Section, Gaston County Police Department, NC

Growing up in rural Western North Carolina is not what most people think of as a brilliant opportunity. I guess that is why I have always felt that my opportunity was special. Being the first member of my large family to get a college education was just one of my many blessings. My family’s roots were in farming, and that was where my values were grown. My family truly believed that a good life started with being a good person. We valued honesty, loyalty, and most of all humanit... Read More

Lieutenant Morgen Tietjens, Commander, Communications Division, Newport News Police Department, VA

At the age of 24, I was returning home from work and was stopped by Newport News Police Officer Jeter for a minor traffic violation. I distinctly remember the officer being professional in appearance and demeanor, as well as gentlemanly and kind. His uniform was sharp, and his tone of voice was non-threatening and personable. All the while, I never doubted he was in control. Officer Jeter broke all the stereotypes and preconceived notions I had about the police. He exemplifi... Read More

Sergeant Marcus Young, Ukiah Police Department, CA

When the Ukiah Police Department needed an officer to fill a patrol shift vacancy on the night of March 7, 2003, Sgt. Marcus Young was happy to volunteer. An administrative sergeant who normally supervised the dispatch center, coordinated training and looked after the schedule, he often worked overtime when another officer was needed on the streets. But this shift would be unlike any other. Before the evening was over, Sgt. Young, 42, would save at least three lives, includin... Read More

Sergeant Kim Vorel, Oklahoma City Police Department, OK

If you asked me 13 years ago what career I would have chosen for myself, I would have never in a million years dreamed that I would be a police officer. Even though I grew up in a law enforcement family, I never had aspirations of working in law enforcement. I now know this job was what I was born to do. My law enforcement career began after my mother passed away when I was 19 years old. I needed a job.

I began working as a detention officer in the Oklahoma County Jail in 1996. ... Read More

Trooper Jay Hemphill, Colorado State Patrol

On July 16, 2007, shortly before 2:00 p.m., Aaron Snyder entered the west door of the Colorado State Capitol Building and headed toward the temporary offices of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. Trooper Hemphill was assigned to the Governor’s Protection Detail with the Executive Security Unit, and on duty at the time, intercepted Snyder in the reception area. Diplomatically and cleverly engaging him in a discussion, he learned the individual was disquieting and challenging. Seriously ... Read More

Investigator Alan Eberle, Nebraska State Patrol

On February 24, 2003, State Patrol officers in Omaha arrested two suspects transporting cocaine to Saginaw, MI. Investigator Eberle flew to Saginaw for controlled delivery of the cocaine, in cooperation with Michigan and federal agents, resulting in a third arrest. Eberle and agents from the DEA and the MI Drug Task force then searched the suspect’s home.There, they were ambushed; the DEA and MI officers severely wounded. Eberle returned fire, fatally wounding two suspects, dr... Read More

Detective William Galloway, Criminal Investigation Unit, Gaston County Police Department, NC

Law enforcement was not my first career choice. I didn’t consider law enforcement as a career until I was about 27 years old. Before I became a police officer, I worked in the transportation business, as an insurance claims examiner, and as a United States postal worker. I was an officer in the U. S. Army Reserve. I served in the military with police officers, and they frequently encouraged me to change careers, which I eventually did.

I became a police officer because ... Read More

Officer Rodney Whiles, McMinnville Police Department, TN

When I was about six years old, there was a problem at my home, and the police were called. When the two officers came in my house, I was afraid of them and what might happen. Apparently, the two officers knew my parents, so they came in and sat on the couch. One of the officers picked up the remote control for our television and began to flip to sports channels. There was some conversation between the officers and my parents, and, after a while, the mood in the house started... Read More

Officer Rusty Jacksland, Prattville Police Department, AL

The reason I became a police officer is similar to a lot of other officers’ reasons. I wanted to make the town that I live in a safer and better place to live and work. I wanted to serve as an officer in my own hometown, the town where I grew up. I had the opportunity to become a rookie officer in 2001 with the Prattville Police Department. I graduated from the police academy in November of that same year. I have loved every minute that I have been allowed to serve this commun... Read More

Officer Polly Speed, School Resource Officer, Horn Lake Police Department, MS

Being a single mom, working as a cocktail waitress was one way to make ends meet. While it was hard work, it gave me the opportunity to learn about people. It also made me realize that I had other talents that I never explored. Being a waitress ultimately opened the door to a law enforcement career that I grew to love.

While I did not know how, I knew I wanted to make a difference. In 1984, I was hired by the Columbus Police Department as the first female officer, working... Read More

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