James Dodson's Journey: From Patrol Officer to Brevard College Graduate
James Dodson's story is one of dedication, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to law enforcement and education. Beginning his career as a police officer at a young age, Dodson recently achieved a significant milestone by graduating from Brevard College with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. His journey exemplifies the value of continuous learning and the strong ties between law enforcement and academic institutions.
Early Career and Education
At the age of 20, James Dodson put his education on hold to begin working as a full-time police officer with the Brevard Police Department. Prior to this, he earned his associates degree in 1998 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in criminal justice. Straight out of that, he went straight to the Academy and straight into law enforcement at the beginning of 1999. He has been in law enforcement ever since. This early entry into the field provided him with invaluable practical experience and a deep understanding of the demands of law enforcement work.
Service with the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office
In 2008, Dodson transitioned to the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office, where he has served full-time ever since. During his tenure, he has worked in various capacities, including the patrol division, investigation division, and as a member of the special response teams. His commitment to professional development is evident in the over 3,000 hours of training he has attended. Dodson currently holds an advanced service award and the advanced law enforcement certificate, which is the highest achievement and certification for a law enforcement officer in the state of North Carolina.
Returning to Education at Brevard College
After a successful career in law enforcement, Dodson returned to Brevard College to pursue his bachelor's degree. "I've been thinking of it, tried to start back in 2019. I got a few classes in and right behind that, my son started here on Brevard College playing football, so I wanted to enjoy him being in college. Where did those four years go? And he graduated from Brevard College last year, and my daughter will be graduating high school next year and she'll be attending college soon. As James Dodson, a lieutenant with the Patrol Division for the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office, graduated from Brevard College with his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. On May 10, he graduated at 46 years old. His decision to further his education underscores his belief in the importance of lifelong learning and his desire to enhance his knowledge and skills in the field of criminal justice.
The Partnership Between Brevard College and TCSO
The collaboration between Brevard College and the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office is a vital component of the college's criminal justice program. "We are proud of the partnership between Brevard College’s criminal justice program and TCSO,” said Dr. Stacy B. Workman, Brevard College Assistant Professor and Criminal Justice Program Coordinator. “It’s built on trust, mentorship, and a shared dedication to public service that extends beyond the classroom. Transylvania County Sheriff Chuck Owenby also values this relationship, stating, "It is a wonderful experience working with Brevard College and their criminal justice program. I have 21 graduates from Brevard College who have been in the criminal justice program and are employees here at the office." This partnership provides students with valuable opportunities for mentorship, practical experience, and potential career paths within the Sheriff's Office.
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