Service is about compassion in action

When I first joined the sheriff’s office in the late ’90s, I thought I understood what service meant. Then I met a family who changed that for me.

During one of our briefings, the sheriff mentioned a local family that was struggling. The father was disabled and unable to work, and with the holidays fast approaching, they were having a hard time making ends meet.

Something about their situation stuck with me. After my shift, I started reaching out, talking with folks around the community, gathering what I could. Before long, people came together with food, clothing, and donations to help make sure that the family could celebrate Christmas.

That experience reminded me that wearing the badge isn’t just about enforcing the law; it’s about showing up for people when they need it most. This was one of those early moments that made me realize I’d chosen the right path.

Service, at its core, is about compassion in action. And that’s what I’ve tried to live by ever since.