Like many young men, it took David Taliaferro a few years to find his place in life. He found it in 2002 when he joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and attended Walters State’s Basic Law Enforcement Recruit School.

 Now, he can’t imagine doing anything else.

 “I do like the excitement, but I like to help people. That may sound corny, but it’s true. I like working a call one day and months later seeing that it made someone’s life better. I may just say a kind word or even make an arrest, but it makes a difference.

“I like the way kids look at me. I think it’s important for officers to be a positive figure in the community, especially with youth.”

Taliaferro starts each day prepared for the worst, yet hoping for the best. He feels the eight weeks spent at Walters State have prepared him for whatever happens.

“The instructors brought a great deal of knowledge to the classes. The first day they told us that if we gave 100 percent, they would give 150 percent back. And that was true.

“Now, I’ve been in everything from foot pursuits to stand-offs. I don’t feel like I would be as prepared to handle a lot of those situations without the excellent training I received.”

Taliaferro has taken other classes at Walters State and is just two away from his associate’s degree.

Learn about other students who invested in themselves