Heroes of Moore: 1st Responder Spotlight

BACKGROUND: I grew up in Sterling, Oklahoma. We had 36 people in our graduating class, which was actually the largest graduating class in Sterling High School history at the time. After high school I went to Cameron University in Lawton and was planning on becoming a coach. But then I went to a citizen’s police academy, and it hit me that being a police officer was something I was really interested in pursuing. When I turned 21,I put my name in the hat and applied with the Lawton Police Department, just to kind of get my name out there. I ended up getting the job, so that’s where it all started for me.

REASON FOR BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER: The first thing I remember making me interested in becoming a police officer was that it was such a detailed and hands-on experience with a lot of variety and different ways you could go. Of course, I thought things like the SWAT team was cool, but I also liked the detective work and how that was more of a chess game. There were so many aspects to the job and where it could take you. But even deeper than that I had this feeling that I could really give back to the community. I do enjoy talking to and helping people, especially when you are able to help those who have been through a terrible experience and can’t really help themselves. So, there’s this desire to give my best service, to help people find the resolution they’re needing to difficult situations, and a passion to protect.

LIFE AS A POLICE OFFICER: We are blessed with a great community in Moore, with great citizens. I think that most of them understand that we’re there to help them, not to make life miserable for them. Even when we give tickets, we’re doing our best to be fair. People tend to think of what we do as good versus bad, but it’s really not that way for me. The challenging part is understanding that we’re all people. We all make mistakes. It’s not always a case of good guy versus bad guy. There are a lot of times when both people are good, but someone just makes a mistake. So, you’re just doing your best to help bring resolutions to some of these situations. There’s just so much about the job that continues to hold my attention, so I think I’m just trying to put in for things that interest me and see how it all falls out.

FAMILY: My priorities are God, my family, and work. My wife and I have a two-year-old son named Lincoln and he is so full of energy. He really gives us a run for our money. So, between taking my wife out on dates and still trying to go to the park with my son and just do fun things with him, my life is pretty fulfilling. SERVING AMERICA'S COFFEE TO THOSE WHO SERVE