Why did you choose law enforcement as a career?
I felt a calling to bridge the gap between the community’s youth and the police.
What is your educational background and what special skills or training do you possess?
I attended IU-Kokomo and while I was there I completed an internship program with the Carmel Police Department. After the internship, I worked as a detention officer for Howard County Work Release in Kokomo.
In late 2020, after turning 21, I was hired as a patrolman with the Tipton Police Department. I worked there for just under a year before being hired as a jail deputy at the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office. I worked at the sheriff’s office for just under a year.
I made a lateral move to the Crawfordsville Police Department in 2022. I chose Crawfordsville so that I could be closer to a sick family member and to have access to my outdoor hobbies.
As a patrolman, some of my responsibilities are to respond to calls for service both criminal and civil. I also proactively patrol the city.
I am a Taser instructor, tasked with certifying new officers on Taser and re-certifying officers as needed. I also hold the position of Field Training Officer, tasked with training rookie officers. I am a certified K9 decoy and assist in training K9s with the city and county departments.
I am also an operator on the Montgomery County Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT team. The team is made up of officers from CPD, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and tactical medics from the Crawfordsville Fire Department. As team members we are provided with equipment and training more suitable to responding to high risk warrants and emergency situations.
Besides serving Crawfordsville as a patrol officer, I also umpire travel baseball in the summer. I am a huge baseball fan and umpiring baseball keeps me in the game.
What does an average day as a patrol officer look like for you?
The job starts with driving through the parks. I usually drive through Milligan Park at the beginning of a shift and make sure nothing dangerous or suspicious is going on so the kids have a safe place to be happy.
I like to roll down my window and wave to the kids. Their smiles really make my day. I’ll often pull over my car and open up all the doors and let the kids check out the inside of the police car, turn on the red/blue lights and siren, and say something to their mom or dad over the PA speaker. I’ll sometimes let the kids try on some of my SWAT gear and get a quick photo before I take off.
What do you like most about your job?
The thing I like most about my job is interacting with the youth of the community and showing them police officers are the good guys, and are someone they can count on.
What do you like the least about your job?
The thing I like least about my job is seeing people who are defenseless (children/elderly) being victimized.
What qualities do you posses that make you well-suited for a career in law enforcement?
I think I am well suited for the job because I have the ability to confidently speak to people whether that be in high stress or normal day-to-day conversation. I credit my baseball umpire background with my ability to talk with strangers.
What advice would you give someone interested in law enforcement as a career?
If I had to give a potential applicant advice, I would tell them to be sure this career is for them. This job can be physically and mentally taxing and you should only go for it if this is your calling. I would also urge people to do ride alongs or internships before applying to be a police officer.
What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
My hobbies and interests outside law enforcement or mainly centered around the outdoors. I’ve been an avid outdoors man my entire life. I enjoy fly-fishing, bass-fishing, hunting, camping and wildlife/nature photography. My favorite photo I’ve taken was of a wild Bobcat while I was turkey hunting in Fountain County.
What are your future plans or goals?
My goal is to become a K9 handler for CPD. Becoming a K9 handler has been a goal of mine since I became an officer at 21 years old.
Do you have a favorite quote?
My favorite quote is from my grandfather Robert “Papa” Hoycus. While hunting or fishing, he would always tell me, “Shoot straight, kid.” I carry that memory of him in my mind whether that be in everyday life or hunting in the woods.
