His work:  He’s been a member of the Riverside Police Department for two years.  He has a total of six years’ experience in law enforcement.  “I love it.  Every day is different.  I never know what I’m going to get to do.”

The hardest part of the job:  “We don’t know everything, but we’re almost expected to.  That’s why it’s good to have a good list of people you can call on, especially in a difficult situation.  Around here, there’s the chief and our friends at the sheriff’s office, other municipalities and the district attorney’s office, and everyone is willing to give a helping hand any time they can.”

A common misconception about law enforcement officers:  “Most people think we like arresting people and writing tickets.  That’s a certain part of our job that we have to do, but I’d rather change a flat or help someone with vehicle maintenance than be arresting people.”

Before the badge:  He taught seventh grade civics and geography for Shelby County Schools.  “I ate lunch a lot with the school resource officer, and we ended up flip-flopping.  He went into teaching, and I got into law enforcement.  When I was teaching, I was a kid just out of college with no life experience, and police work opens your eyes a lot.  If I went back to teaching now, I know I’d do a better job, but I like this more than teaching.”

About the Riverside PD:  “This is the best department I’ve ever worked for.  Since it’s so small, I’ve gotten to do more here, and I’ve learned a lot.  We’re not just officers here.  We’re also investigators.  Our chief expects us to take on our own cases.”

Things a police officer sees:  “Most of the stuff I can take.  The gory stuff you see on the Interstate doesn’t affect me as much as some of the family situations we see.  It makes me appreciate what I have.”

Reflecting on his career:  “A lot of guys want to go to the FBI or get as high as they can, but I’m pretty satisfied being a patrol officer.  Maybe one day I might want to be a supervisor or chief, but that’s way on down the road.  I love what I do, and when I retire, I’d like to be remembered as someone what was good at his job, who was fair and who was respectable.”

Off duty:  He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.  “Work and kids is my life right now.”

Training he’s appreciated:  “My parents did a pretty good job of instilling in me the attitude that if I do something, I’m going to do it right, and I’m going to do it until it’s done.”