By Jennier Jacob Brown
All it took to convince Jeffrey D. Willis that becoming a state trooper was the thing to do was spending a little time around the men in uniform.
As an emergency medical technician, Willis regularly worked with law enforcement officers at the beginning of his career - and the officers of the Mississippi Highway Patrol especially impressed him.
"Something about the state troopers, I wanted to work with them," Willis said. "Their demeanor, their professionalism, their attitude, they were always squared away."
Today, Willis is a trooper first class, and has been with MHP for six years. After about five years as an EMT, he joined the Meridian Police Department, moving on the the highway patrol after about two years.
Law enforcement, Willis said, isn't the kind of job that just anyone can walk through the door and sign up for. Before joining the highway patrol, Willis had to go through rigorous physical and mental testing and a thorough background check before MHP would consider sending him to the 20-week state trooper training course, which is followed by more than five months of probationary field training.
All the hard work to become a state trooper was well worth it, Willis said.
"I just get a joy out of being able to assist the general public, being able to help people when they need help the most," he said.
Though Willis loves his job, he's learned the importance of not taking his work home with him.
"When I'm at work, I'm H14," he said. "When I'm at home, I'm Jeffrey Willis. It takes a while to learn how to do that, at first."
Willis has a wife, Verita, a travel nurse, and two sons, Jadarius, 14, and Justus, 6.
Having two kids so far apart in age keeps him busy at home, especially when his wife is out of town for work, Willis said.
"They come together when they need to, but they clash a lot," Willis said of his boys. "Especially over the TV and snack time."
Willis' priority is passing good values down to his sons, and he says his job has helped him do that.
"It's just having the self-discipline," he said. "Each child needs that father figure, and being able to go to the highway patrol has given me that discipline."
The most important lessons he can teach his sons, Willis said, are "to get out and know what it is to be honest and work... and to make sure you get your education. Education is key, vital."
Willis' children go to Southeast Lauderdale School, and he said he stays involved with the school to help ensure that the boys get the most out of their education. Parent involvement, he said, is vital to children receiving a good education.
Willis continues working on his own education as well. A recent honors graduate of East Mississippi Community College, he is currently working toward his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Mississippi State University. Eventually, he hopes to become a Mississippi Bureau Investigator, working behind the scenes to solve crimes.
But for now, Willis is still working on the scene - so next time you hit the road, remember to obey the speed limit and buckle your seat belt. Otherwise you just might be ticketed by Jeffrey Willis, this week's Star of the Week.
